Pellegrini: Leicester lucky to have no injuries

Mark Holmes
David Silva: Latest player added to Manchester City's injury list

David Silva: Latest player added to Manchester City's injury list

Manuel Pellegrini is envious of Leicester City’s good luck on the injury front after David Silva was added to Manchester City’s list of walking wounded.

City were beaten 3-1 by Leicester at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and are now down to fourth in the Premier League, six points behind table-topping Leicester ahead of next weekend’s crucial trip to second-placed Tottenham.

To compound their woes, Silva left the field with an ankle injury that makes him doubtful for Spurs. He joins a lengthy injury list which, even for a club of City’s resources, is damaging as they fight on in four competitions.

Pellegrini said: “Yes (it is stretched) because we have seven players injured at the moment in the same positions – two centre-backs, (Vincent) Kompany and (Eliaquim) Mangala – and in attack – (Kevin) De Bruyne, (Jesus) Navas, (Wilfried) Bony, (Samir) Nasri and now Silva. That makes it more difficult.

“Let’s hope we can recover in the next few days. We didn’t have the usual energy. We’ve been using only 14 (outfield) players in a very important month.”

Leicester have just the league to focus on and, with few injury problems at present, could have a clear advantage in the title race.

Pellegrini said: “I think it is important for Leicester that they are always able to play with the same team and they haven’t got too many injuries at this moment.

“Going forward they have an advantage, but I don’t think that will be the only thing they need from now to the end of the season.”

Pellegrini has warned that his side cannot afford to drop points at Tottenham on a key weekend when Leicester also travel to third-placed Arsenal.

He said: “We must recover as soon as we can after this defeat. We must have a very strong mentality and try to prepare for the game against Tottenham in the best way we can.

“It is another team that is fighting for the title and we need three more points here at home. At the same time Leicester are playing at Arsenal, the two other teams fighting for the title, but we we must win against Tottenham.

“In the way we are playing the season in every competition, every game is like a final, but it is very important just to focus on Tottenham now.”