Manchester City look set to field a strong side at Crystal Palace as they attempt to make progress in the Carling Cup.

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 by PA

With no European football to distract them, City know the competition offers a perfect opportunity to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 1976.

So even the likes of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor might find themselves involved in a competition they normally pass on, although Carlos Tevez was part of the Manchester United side that won the competition last March.

Meanwhile, Joleon Lescott has revealed the brutal truth that fuelled his desire to leave Everton - City are more likely to gate-crash the top four.

The Toffeemen finished fifth last term and reached the FA Cup final and David Moyes was anxious to build on his squad rather than lose senior players as he geared himself up for the final assault on those coveted Champions League slots.

Yet Lescott could not see how Everton were going to smash the glass ceiling that has kept the established order apart from the rest.

In order to achieve that, serious money was required. The type of money City have been spending this summer.

Which is why he jumped at the chance to become the second most expensive defender in English football history, behind Rio Ferdinand.

"I see the future being brighter here than Everton," he said.

"Everyone outside the top four are aiming for the same thing but I think Manchester City are more equipped to get there faster than Everton. That is why I made the change."

Moyes may not like the words but Lescott cannot be blamed for his honesty. Many would also argue he is being accurate with his assessment, although the fallout from his row with Moyes is likely to spoil a relationship with Everton's fans that the player has always cherished.

"Of course it is going to bother me," he said.

"I had a good rapport with the fans and we got on well. I would like to think they understand I gave my all for Everton."

Mark Hughes insists City have acted properly in their pursuit, although it seems unlikely Everton will register a formal complaint with the Football Association, as was threatened over the weekend.

It leaves Lescott free to continue his career, although it will not involve a Carling Cup debut at Palace.

Instead, skipper Richard Dunne will make what could turn out to be his final appearance for the Eastlands outfit.

The arrivals of Lescott and Toure would place a question mark over Dunne's future anyway. However, as Nedum Onuoha has recently signed a long-term contract extension and Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany are both capable of playing in central defence, Dunne would appear to be surplus to requirements.

Hughes is adopting a cautious stance but it is believed Aston Villa are keen to snap up the Dublin-born star.

"When you try to bring good players to your club, other people have a view on the future of certain others," he said.

"We are trying to make the club stronger but there is bound to be interest and no doubt we will get calls about Richard and other centre-halves at the club.

"It is not necessarily the case that because Joleon is here, other players will leave. It depends on individual circumstance."

Palace boss Neil Warnock must decide whether to risk goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Speroni missed Saturday's defeat by Newcastle on doctor's advice after taking a whack to the throat against Ipswich in midweek.

The Argentine, Palace's player of the year last season, should be fit but Warnock may hold him back for league duty, meaning Darryl Flahavan could face City's all-star strikeforce.

Palace are still without Stern John, who suffered a nasty elbow injury half an hour into his debut, and fellow striker Calvin Andrew is sidelined with a knee problem.

Winger Ryan Smith might figure after being offered a short-term deal while Nick Carle, Sean Scannell, Nathanial Clyne and Victor Moses could start if Warnock opts to make changes.