Key man set to face Sunderland Manchester City, Last updated: 09:34, December 24, 2012 Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany could return for the Boxing Day trip to Sunderland after making the bench on Saturday. Key man Kompany has been out with a groin injury but was back in contention for the 1-0 win over Reading at the weekend and is now expected to be back in the starting XI for the clash with the Black Cats. Elsewhere, striker Mario Balotelli (illness) could also come back into contention while full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy will hope to overcome niggles. Young defender Karim Rekik made his first start against the Royals and did well so could keep his place in the side if both Kolarov and Clichy remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, forward Samir Nasri is out with a hamstring injury while right-back Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain on the long-term casualty list.
Not sure it would matter if he wasn't mate, no doubt a similar game to the one at City's place probably a similar scoreline as well.
I have a sneaky feeling we can win this game and if there was a good time to play a bunch of mercenary overpaid foreigners, then Boxing Day is it. A Mackem bumper crowd and stick it right up them. Come on Santa, make my day.
