Tomorrow City take on Mark Hughes stoke City at The Etihad Stadium and will be hoping they can get back to winning ways after Tuesdays Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona. Stoke sit in 14th in the Premiership just three points above the relegation zone, but have hit a bit of form recently and are unbeaten in three games which includes a 2-1 win over Manchester United.

TEAM NEWS

City could see Sergio Aguero return from injury and take a place on the bench, whilst defender Matija Nastasic faces a late fitness test and may return at the heart of the City defence. For Stoke, winger Matthew Etherington and full-back Andy Wilkinson are both doubts, but winger Oussama Assaidi is defiantly out injured. Striker John Guidetti, is ineligible for the game as he is not allowed to play against his parent club.

STATS

- Man City have won 12 of 13 home games against bottom-half teams since the start of last season with 10 wins to nil.

- Stoke have not won in 11 away games — the longest away winless streak in the league.

- Manuel Pellegrini's side have scored 10 league goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season, as many as Stoke have managed over 90 minutes in their 13 away games.

- Yaya Toure has scored 12 league goals from just 16 shots on target this term, including with seven of his eight attempts from dead-ball situations
.
- Stephen Ireland made 138 Premier League appearances for Manchester City between 2005-10.

- Mark Hughes managed Manchester City for 55 Premier League matches between 2008 and 2009, he won 22 games during his time with City.

REFEREE WATCH

Tomorrows referee is Chris Foy from Merseyside, his has been in charge of two City matches so far this season with City winning both. A 3-2 away win at West Brom and a 3-0 away win over West Ham. Mr Foy has shown 60 yellow card and 4 red cards in his 24 matches this season.

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls