Bony back on track for his big derby date
WILFRIED BONY is ready to give crisis- hit Manchester City a much- needed boost ahead of Sunday’s derby.
Bony missed the defeat at Crystal Palace that effectively ended City’s title hopes with an ankle injury but is on course to play at Old Trafford.
The Ivory Coast striker, who scored in each of his three appearances against Manchester United for previous club Swansea, is likely to replace Edin Dzeko.
Robin van Persie, too, has declared himself fi t after missing United’s past six games with an ankle injury.
The 31- year- old tweeted yesterday: “Back to training with the group. Was a great session. Happy to be fi t and able to play again. Looking forward to my next game!”
Former City player Trevor Sinclair, meanwhile, has questioned midfi elder Yaya Toure’s commitment and suggested he should be sold this summer, with Inter Milan keen to offer him a new challenge in Serie A.
“Yaya has been a fantastic servant,” said Sinclair. “But I don’t think he’s committed to the club any more. He’s a massive fans’ favourite but now is the time to let him go and bring in fresh blood.”
Sinclair says some of City’s other long- serving players have also under- performed this season and the team needs an injection of younger talent.
“Vincent Kompany will hold his hand up and so should Samir Nasri. Even Pablo Zabaleta, who City fans adore, hasn’t been himself,” Sinclair said.
“Sergio Aguero hasn’t scored as many goals, nor Edin Dzeko. They sold Alvaro Negredo and haven’t replaced him. You look at the average age of 29 – they need some young players in.”
Defender Gael Clichy admits Manuel Pellegrini’s team, who have won only six out of 16 games in all competitions in 2015, need a drastic improvement.
“We are not hiding,” he said. “We owe it to the fans to fi nish strongly. There are seven games to go – not many but still enough to make things happen.”