Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini: "Stoke are always difficult to beat. They are strong, tall and they fight for every ball."
Team news: City are without Samir Nasri after deciding not to appeal against his sending-off at Norwich City. Striker Mario Balotelli (virus) is not yet ready to return while full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Maicon (knee) also remain on the sidelines. Defender Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are still long-term casualties.
Man City (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Lescott, K Toure, Clichy, Rekik, Nasri, Silva, Milner, Sinclair, Y Toure, Barry, Garcia, Tevez, Aguero, Dzeko, Razak.
Stoke City
Team news: Midfielder Steven Nzonzi will be available after the club appealed against the red card he received in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Southampton. Captain Ryan Shawcross and full-back Geoff Cameron are both likely to return after serving one-match bans, while defenders Robert Huth and Andy Wilkinson should also play despite a clash of heads on Saturday that forced Wilkinson off with concussion. Manager Tony Pulis may choose to freshen things up and could recall midfielder Charlie Adam to the starting line-up for the first time since the death of his father earlier this month.
Stoke (from): Begovic, Shotton, Shawcross, Cameron, Huth, Upson, Wilkinson, Whelan, Nzonzi, Walters, Kightly, Etherington, Jones, Sorensen, Whitehead, Crouch, Jerome, Adam, Palacios, Owen.
Match officials
Referee: M Oliver; Assistants: P Kirkup, J Flynn; Fourth official: J Moss
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