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City ready to deal out Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips has had little playing time this season © Getty Images

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Roberto Mancini has admitted it is likely Shaun Wright-Phillips will leave Manchester City in January, with the Italian claiming the winger has a host of teams on his tail.

Like a number of talented players in the City squad, Wright-Phillips has struggled to secure regular playing time at Eastlands on account of the embarrassment of riches available to Mancini.

Wayne Bridge joined West Ham on Wednesday evening, while Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor are others who could be on their way out.

Mancini is sympathetic to the plight of his players and is happy for them to move on if the right deal is presented.

"Shaun is the same situation like Wayne [Bridge], but we must wait," Mancini said. "Shaun has two or three options. But we want to wait as if we lose three or four players we may not have the players for the rest of the season."

Birmingham have been credited with an interest in Wright-Phillips, but Mancini feels there are other clubs, one of which could be Fulham, ahead in the chase. "I don't know if it will be Birmingham, there are other teams."

Santa Cruz is reported to be close to securing a return to Blackburn and Mancini feels a deal could be struck this week.

"He like all the players he wants to play," the City coach said. "For me it is difficult and I understand the situation. If he has an opportunity to go and play, it is better for them. I hope in one or two days and Roque can go and get games."

Adebayor's situation appears to hinge on whether fellow striker Mario Balotelli will require an operation on his troublesome knee.

"We must wait as Manu is a different situation," Mancini said. "There are a lot of teams that want Manu. At this moment it is better that we wait to see about the Mario situation. We have another 20 days, we must wait."

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