Angelo Ogbonna looks booked to start against Fulham alongside Issa Diop on Friday evening with Fabian Balbuena looking booked for a place on the bench.

All the noises coming from the backroom team are positive at the moment but it’s unlikely that Manuel Pellegrini will throw the Paraguyan defender straight back into action with another huge game at the Etihad on the following Wednesday evening.

With three games over the 12 days Balbuena, Zaba and Manu Lanzini could be expected to play much bigger roles in the games against City and at home to Newcastle on March 2.

However, nothing can ever be taken for granted with Manuel Pellegrini’s selection processes as the team go for their first win in four games.

Friday will also give the opportunity to Ryan Fredericks to make an impact against his former club as we bid to move into ninth place ahead of Everton.

It could see us just a point behind Watford in eighth place who visit resurgent Cardiff City on the same night with Neil Warnock’s team having taken six points from their last  two games.