Manchester City’s new signing Wayne Bridge is expected to make his debut at left-back against Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow.
Nedum Onuoha has recovered from a hamstring problem but doubts remain over forward Robinho (thigh) while midfielder Stephen Ireland is suspended.
Midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips is out for two to three weeks with a hamstring strain sustained in last Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup third defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Provisional squad: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards, Bridge, Ball, Kompany, Elano, Robinho, Caicedo, Fernandes, Jo, Vassell, Garrido, Sturridge, Hamann, Clayton, Ben Haim, Schmeichel, Evans.