Manchester City vs Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

Manchester City welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Etihad Stadium for this early evening Premier League tie. Kick-off time is 5.30pm and the game is being screened live on Sky Sports in the UK. Selected for England this past week, Manchester City defender Micah Richards (knee) has been declared fit for today's game. He needed lengthy treatment stemming from the midweek Europa League victory over Porto but did complete the full 90 minutes in what in fairness became a stroll in the season hand. Gareth Barry, who was removed from the game to protect a muscle twinge, should play after the injury wasn't deemed serious. Important trio Mario Balotelli and brothers Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure return for domestic action for the first time since their lengthy absences through suspension and African Cup of Nations duty respectively. The much talked about Carlos Tevez is back in training with City but is not yet fit to be considered for selection. For Blackburn Rovers, midfielder David Dunn may miss out with a thigh injury. He is a doubt. Playmaker winger Junior Hoilett has been declared fit but Jason Lowe starts a two match man for racking up 10 bookings this season. Defender Gael Givet is also suspended. Former Captain Christopher Samba has now joined Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala after handing in his transfer request last month. Though Rovers fans are used to not seeing him play as he has sat out of action since January 2nd.

Line-ups from;

City (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, K Toure, Savic, Clichy, Kolarov, Nasri, Milner, Johnson, Barry, De Jong, Y Toure, Pizarro, Hargreaves, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko, Balotelli. Rovers (from): Robinson, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Pedersen, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Dunn, Yakubu, Formica, Modeste, Goodwillie, Marcus Olsson, Rochina, Vukcevic, Henley, Slew, Blackman, Bunn