Manchester City vs West Bromwich(WBA) - Pellegrini puts City's interests first

Posted Friday, April 08, 2016 by PA

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini does not care what Belgium think with regards to captain Vincent Kompany's comeback.

City's influential skipper remains on the sidelines with the calf-related problem suffered in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Dynamo Kiev on March 15.

The 29-year-old was initially ruled out for a month by Pellegrini but Belgium coach Marc Wilmots went further, suggesting he could be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Pellegrini has not differed from his original timescale and, even though odds would seem against Kompany being fit for Tuesday's decisive quarter-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain, it has not been discounted.

That could potentially bring Pellegrini into conflict with Wilmots once again, with club and country having clashed over Kompany's fitness last October.

On that occasion Kompany returned from injury to play against Pellegrini's wishes in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel and the City manager does not seem minded to do Belgium any favours now.

Asked if Belgium's needs affected his thinking, Pellegrini said at a press conference: "No, I am not concerned about their opinion."

On the general matter of Kompany's fitness, Pellegrini was vague but such is the player's importance he could yet return for the visit of PSG.

Pellegrini said: "I am not thinking about that. I am just seeing how he is improving in every work that he is doing.

"He's not working with the squad for the moment, so we will see next week how many days more he needs. I am always positive."

City have given themselves a fighting chance of reaching the last four for the first time having earned a 2-2 draw with the French champions at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

But Pellegrini insists he is trying not to think about that yet with a testing visit from West Brom in the Barclays Premier League to negotiate first. Fourth-placed City are just a point above rivals Manchester United in the battle for next season's Champions League places.

Pellegrini said: "It's a big game but it's also a big game at home to West Brom, especially with all the teams that are involved around playing each other. Arsenal play West Ham and Tottenham play Manchester United, so it is very important not to drop points here at home and I think that is the mentality of our players."

Playmaker David Silva is to miss the game with a "small problem" in his ankle but midfielder Yaya Toure is back in contention after a knee problem.

Meanwhile, West Brom boss Tony Pulis insists he is in no rush to sign a new Baggies contract.

The head coach will speak about his future with chairman Jeremy Peace in the summer, when he will have just a year left on his current deal.

Pulis has guided Albion to 11th in the Barclays Premier League this season, 13 points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the trip to Manchester City, and is happy to wait on his future.

He said: "At the end of the season I'll sit down with Jeremy and we'll talk, we'll talk about the season and talk about the future. That's what I have done for years.

"Let me speak to Jeremy. The important thing is for us to finish the season as strongly as we can. I still have a year left, there's no rush in doing anything else. I would prefer to sit with Jeremy and have a nice glass of wine and a bite to eat.

"Every club you go into you could say 'you'll like this to happen and everything else' but, as I have said before, it's a very well run club and I don't think there are many clubs in the country who are run as well as this, financially."

Albion go to the Etihad having reached the recognised safety mark of 40 points following last week's 0-0 draw at Sunderland.

And Pulis said the struggles of local rivals Aston Villa - who could be relegated on Saturday - shows how well the Baggies have done.

He said: "We are delighted that, with seven games to go, we have 40 points. When you look at the bottom of the table and see Villa who are almost gone, Sunderland and Newcastle - it's been such an eye opener to see those clubs in that position.

"They are massive clubs. Everyone outside will understand how difficult this league is and you should never take it for granted.

"This season has shown, irrespective of who you are and what your name is, if you don't win games you'll either struggle or won't win the championship."

Pulis has a couple of unnamed injury doubts but James Morrison is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury while Stephane Sessegnon is back in contention after arriving late from international duty last week.