• Premier League

Aguero and Nasri back as Rodwell returns for City

ESPN staff
January 18, 2013
Sergio Aguero has recovered from a hamstring injury © Getty Images
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will welcome back Sergio Aguero, Jack Rodwell and Samir Nasri for the game against Fulham on Saturday.

Aguero, City's 30-goal top scorer last season, has been out since New Year's Day when he tore his hamstring in the 3-0 win over Stoke.

Midfielder Rodwell has been out for three months, also with hamstring problems, and has been limited to just two league starts for City since his £12 million move from Everton in the summer.

Meanwhile France international Nasri is available again after completing a three-match ban for his dismissal against Norwich in December.

"Sergio is OK. Jack is OK and Samir [is back] after suspension. Now we are only missing Micah [Richards] and Maicon," Mancini said.

Rodwell has moved house, changed his car and his pillow in a bid to end the persistent hamstring problems that have blighted his career. And Mancini is pleased that he is finally available again, though he warned the player will only be a substitute against Fulham.

"I am sure Jack will be an important player for us in the future if he solves his problems," he said. "Saturday [he will] probably [only play] for 20 minutes but not more."

Mancini received a welcome boost when the red card that captain Vincent Kompany received in Sunday's 2-0 win over Arsenal was overturned, sparing the defender a three-match suspension.

The Belgium international was given his marching orders by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Jack Wilshere but the FA decided the sending-off was incorrect.

"I am very pleased because I think it is correct," Mancini said. "The referee managed the game very well but that situation he didn't see well because from his position he thought it was a red card. That tackle was not a red card."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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