Pellegrini faces goal keeping dilemma

Manuel Pellegrini has admitted both David Martin and Lukasz Fabianski face late fitness tests to appear over the next three games.

The manager says the next two days will be crucial as to who starts between the sticks on Boxing day.

The manager told reporters on Monday “Both of them are recovering. We will see in the next day what happens with which of them is able to play. Not Lukasz or David are able to play two games in 48 hours. Both of them have muscle problems and we will see what happens.”

Asked whether both of them could miss the boxing day clash the 67-year-old said “Both of them could be missing, both of them could be playing, we will see. These two days will be very important to have the medical decision, the player decision and of course, mine.”

Pellegrini declared that he still has confidence in Roberto should both goalkeeper not be declared fit.

He told the media during his pre-match press conference “Roberto didn’t have good performance when he played but I always say he has a career behind him, a lot of experience maybe he was a bit unlucky but I continue to trust in him. If he has to play he will do it in the way we know he can do.”

Asked about Fabianski’s recovery the manager added “Lukasz has to have confidence in how he feel after not playing for so long. He is looking well, working a bit harder every day. If he is not ready for the 26th, maybe for the 28th or the 1st but in one week, he will be playing”