Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany could return for the Premier League runners-up as they travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen in their first Champions League clash of the new season. The 27-year old came off during City's first Premier League game against Newcastle with a groin injury, and has been out of action since. He's recently returned back to training, and with the Citizens lacking in the centre-back department, Kompany may be forced to feature earlier than expected. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said; 'Vincent has worked with us normally for the last two days. We will see if he is 100%. If he is, of course he will play. We will talk with the doctor and decide. I think he will be 100%, but if he is not he will not play.' Kompany missed the matches against Cardiff City, Hull City, and stoke City - with the side taking four points from the three games in his absence. Midfielder Javi Garcia was forced to deputise in defence as replacement for the 27-year old, and defender Bruno Demichelis succumbed to injury just days of signing as cover for Kompany. Pellegrini will look for Kompany's experience for City's Champions League opener tonight, as the Sky Blues' win percentage is significantly lower without the Belgium in the side. source - daily mail
Crippy Cooke, 23, is a freelance Football Writer contributing to What Culture. He's had work featured on Zoo, MSN, London 24, The Telegraph, The Huffington Post, and was recently named Writer of the Year on FTBpro - while also a nominee for Best Male Blog in the Football Blogging Awards.
