Bridge out

In another twist to the uncomfortable life and times of Wayne Bridge, he now faces up to a month out after a hernia operation. This would put him out of contention for the games against Fulham, Everton, Wigan, Burnley and Birmingham, with the possibility of a return for the derby.

Bridge has performed quite well under the spotlight in the recent months and City will be hoping the "up to" a month is a little less, with some reports suggesting he will only be two weeks away from a return to the first team. Evidently this is all conjecture and City should be looking at the options for up to the next five games.

The worrying thing for Sylvinho and Garrido is that Bridge has been replaced a number of times in recent games and they have never been selected for their natural position. Admittedly, Bridge is often withdrawn for a change of emphasis - RSC came on for him on Saturday with Zabaleta covering him at left back - and Garrido hasn't made the bench in recent weeks, but this does seem to suggest a reluctance on Mancini's part to opt for either of them in that position - often prefering Barry there.

A couple of times on Bridge's initial absence (upon the arrival of Mancini), Zabaleta was prefered at left back anyway, despite being predominately right-footed, and I would suggest Mancini may favour this option again. He seems to regard Sylvinho as a versatile midfield option now, so I should think it will come down to Zabaleta or Garrido.

Lescott is another option, but I hope he is kept in the centre so that the blossoming partnership between him and Kompany is allowed to keep growing. Likewise Barry will be hoping to continue in central midfield, although a coming to form for Vieira may accomodate a brief move for him to leftback.

It depends on how Mancini wishes to use Zabaleta. He has become a bit of a utility player of late - taking up three positions in the last game alone. If this is how Mancini sees him - rather than as his first-choice rightback, for example - then I think Zabaleta may be plying his trade at leftback for the next five games or so.