Manchester City injury news: Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala ruled out of Sunderland match as Manuel Pellegrini considers his options
Kompany has suffered a hamstring injury while Mangala is suspended due to his sending off against Southampton
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Your support makes all the difference.Vincent Kompany has been ruled out of Manchester City’s trip to Sunderland after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Southampton, meaning Manuel Pellegrini has serious concerns in his defence.
Losing a player of the calibre of Kompany would be bad enough, but City are already without the services of Eliaquim Mangala after the £32m summer signing was sent-off against the Saints for picking up two bookings.
Mangala has clearly struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League after becoming the most expensive defender in Premier League history, although his second yellow card was dished out after a poor back-pass from Yaya Toure left Mangala lagging behind striker Shane Long.
With Pellegrini’s first choice pairing ruled out, he may have to put together a makeshift back four or recall players who have been used sparingly to far this season. Martin Demichelis is almost certain to start, with the Argentinian only losing his place in the side when Mangala came in.
Pellegrini can therefore select either right-back Bacary Sagna – who covered at centre-back on occasion during his time with Arsenal – or recall Belgian centre-back Dedryck Boyata. The 24-year-old has only played twice this season having started the 3-0 Community Shield defeat to the Gunners at the start of the season and replacing Fernandinho in the 7-0 Capital One Cup slaughter of Sheffield Wednesday.
Matija Nastasic is not available for consideration given that he is deemed too injured to start the match, while David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov are also ruled out of the trip to the Stadium of Light.
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