Pearce handed injury boost
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce received welcome news on the injury front last night with Nedum Onuoha and Antoine Sibierski coming through reserve team appearances unscathed.
Both men have missed most of City’s pre-season preparations after being struck down by hamstring injuries.
But Onuoha managed to complete all but eight minutes of the 1-1 draw at West Brom, while Sibierski reached the 72-minute mark on his return.
Onuoha’s availability is crucial to Pearce ahead of Saturday’s Premiership opener against the Baggies.
City are short of central defensive options, with skipper Sylvain Distin ruled out with a groin injury and usual partner Richard Dunne still thought unlikely to be involved in the encounter with Bryan Robson’s men despite making a surprise return to training from a foot problem yesterday.
If Onuoha has come through unscathed, the teenager is virtually certain to start, although the best Sibierski can hope for after his recent lack of match action is a place on the bench.
Pearce has apparently not given up hope of bringing in at least one more new face before Saturday, although so far, a revised bid for Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque has not materialised.
