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Manchester City: Key players set to return

By Ethan Lowe

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: An injured Vincent Kompany of Manchester City (4) hands the captains armband to Sergio Aguero of Manchester City as he leaves the pitch during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at the Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: An injured Vincent Kompany of Manchester City (4) hands the captains armband to Sergio Aguero of Manchester City as he leaves the pitch during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at the Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City have been handed a huge boost with the return of captain Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling’s improving fitness

Manchester City are the only English team still kicking in the Champions League, and they face Real Madrid in a tough clash that could see them make it all the way to the finals.

Although they currently sit in third place, tying on points with fourth place Arsenal while five behind second place Spurs, Manchester City are in respectable form. They recorded a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the league, then knocked giants PSG out of the Europa League, all before dominating Chelsea by three goals this weekend – and now GOAL reports that they look set to regain key players ahead of their next match against Newcastle.

Vincent Kompany has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Manchester City, and has been side-lined for the last six matches with his latest calf problem, but now the Belgian defender looks ready to make his return. Having only made 19 appearances this season, City’s captain could prove pivotal to how they finish their season.

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Manuel Pellegrini told reporters: “Vincent will be an important help to the defence,”

Raheem Sterling has also returned from a groin injury, but looks to be monitored before he is allowed to play again. Pellegrini added; “Raheem is coming back from an important injury; we’ll see if he can play some minutes tomorrow. It depends on the way he returns,”

With the likes of David Silva, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy all out injured, City will be glad to have players back to fitness. They face Newcastle first, who should prove a test for City despite being down in 19th place. The side, now managed by Rafa Benitez, will be looking to capitalize on any chance they get to bag some points – and rightly so.

They sit in a very dangerous position, which should (should) encourage them to fight harder to salvage at least a point from such a tough game. Whether Newcastle can be a threat to this strong City side remains to be seen, but a returning Vincent Kompany will only make it harder for the Magpies. Pellegrini commented on Newcastle’s strength, saying; “Newcastle are very dangerous. They have good players. St James’s Park is difficult and they need all the points to not get relegated,”

Manchester City then take on Stoke City at home, before facing Real Madrid on Tuesday the 26th of April. With Kompany making his return, and hopefully Sterling returning to fitness, City could do the entire league a favour by showing the world that an English side can beat the La Liga legends.

If Manchester City can progress to the finals, they will face either Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid – both tough opponents. It’s not going to be easy to best Real Madrid, who pulled off a miraculous recovery against Wolfsburg to make it to the semi-finals thanks to key man, Cristiano Ronaldo. The fitness boost only helps their chances, and they’ll need to be at their best to challenge Madrid.

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