The Belgian is still battling a hamstring injury,
while the France international is set to be back in central defence
after being suspended for Wednesday's 4-1 win over Sunderland
Kompany limped out of City’s 3-0 win over Southampton last Sunday with a hamstring injury and subsequently missed Wednesday’s 4-1 victory at Sunderland. Saturday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium may come too soon for the Belgian, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to have his captain fit for the club’s crucial Champions League trip to Roma next Wednesday.
Mangala also missed the win at the Stadium of Light after being sent off against Southampton but the £32 million summer signing could return to central defence ahead of Dedryck Boyata, who deputised alongside Martin Demichelis against Sunderland.
Pellegrini is also unsure over the fitness of David Silva, who hasn’t featured since the end of October due to a knee injury.
Everton head into Saturday’s fixture with just one Premier League win in their last five games after a 1-1 draw at home to Hull City on Wednesday evening.
Everton have now lost 10 points from winning positions in the Premier League this term but Roberto Martinez is confident his players can challenge for a Champions League place.
"Are we miles away from the top four positions? No," Martinez said.
"We are six points away and you are looking at other teams fighting for the same aim and they are very close to us.
"I don't see that as a worry. We just want as many points as we can get to take us to the first third of the season and see where we are then and what we can fight for.
"It's been a very tough period for us but you didn't see a single player not giving 100 per cent [against Hull]."
Darron Gibson (knee), Steven Naismith and James McCarthy (both hamstring) are doubts for Everton.
0 comments:
Post a Comment