Injuries beginning to pile up

The MEN reports today on a growing injury list before the final pre-season game against Porto later this afternoon, and more importantly ahead of the Premiership opener against Chelsea next Sunday.

Those currently affected are Richard Dunne (hamstring), Trevor Sinclair (cheek), Andrew Cole (knee), Stephen Ireland, Micah Richards (hip) and Sun Jihai (hamstring).

If those players are ruled out of today's game then it will at least give Stuart Pearce a chance to view a couple of alternatives before the Chelsea to see if anyone can force themselves into contention as in all likelihood Pearce will know most of his opening line-up with just the left side of midfield still wide open, but with the goalkeeper, full back and striking positions still open to debate.

On the subject of the new season, my City season preview will be appearing in tomorrow's edition of The Observer, whilst I be posting a few different things up next week as we countdown to the opening kick off.