De Jong back for City
Nigel de Jong will return from suspension as Manchester City look to get their Premier League challenge back on track at Newcastle on December 26.
Defeat to Everton on Monday cost City their chance to spend Christmas at the top of the table for the first time in 81 years but they are undefeated away from Eastlands since the end of October and will fancy their chances of completing a league double over the Magpies.
Mario Balotelli has shrugged off a minor knee ailment and is expected to be part of Roberto Mancini’s squad, while Pablo Zabaleta (ankle) is also set to report fit.
Team (from): Hart, Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Boyata, Kolarov, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Johnson, De Jong, Vieira, Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Silva, Tevez, Adebayor, Balotelli, Jo.
