Team news ahead of Monday night's crunch derby clash between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

City striker Mario Balotelli is available again for Monday's huge clash.

The Italian has served a three-match ban for his sending off at Arsenal earlier this month but it remains to be seen whether he will be recalled given the form of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.

Defender Micah Richards (hamstring) is fit again after missing last week's win at Wolves.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson must decide whether to make changes for the potential title decider.

Full-back Rafael would appear to be at the most risk of losing his place from the team that threw away a two-goal lead in the final seven minutes of last Sunday's encounter with Everton.

Phil Jones or Chris Smalling could step in, whilst Ferguson may also opt to reinforce his midfield with either Ryan Giggs, Tom Cleverley or Park Ji-sung replacing a wide player or more likely Danny Welbeck.

City (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Savic, K Toure, Kolarov, Clichy, Milner, Johnson, Nasri, De Jong, Barry, Y Toure, Pizarro, Silva, Balotelli, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko.

United (from): De Gea, Amos, Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Fabio, Evra, Valencia, Nani, Park, Scholes, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez, Berbatov, Owen.