Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has returned to the squad
for their UEFA Champions League opener against Viktoria Plzen on
Tuesday.
Kompany has missed City's last three matches with a groin injury but he has travelled with the team to the Czech Republic and his return would be a major boost for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The City skipper hobbled off during their season-opening 4-0 victory at home to Newcastle and they have stuttered somewhat without him, a 3-2 loss at Cardiff and a 0-0 draw at Stoke sandwiching a 2-0 home win over Hull City.
And City are desperate to improve upon their recent efforts in the Champions League, having crashed out at the group stages in the last two seasons.
Since signing Kompany in 2008, City have won 55 per cent of the games he has played in the Premier League and Champions League.
Of the 39 games he has missed, City have won just 46 per cent, and they concede less than a goal a game with the Belgium international in the starting line-up, compared with 1.2 per game without him.
Coverage of Manchester City's clash with Viktoria Plzen is on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm on Tuesday night.
Kompany has missed City's last three matches with a groin injury but he has travelled with the team to the Czech Republic and his return would be a major boost for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The City skipper hobbled off during their season-opening 4-0 victory at home to Newcastle and they have stuttered somewhat without him, a 3-2 loss at Cardiff and a 0-0 draw at Stoke sandwiching a 2-0 home win over Hull City.
And City are desperate to improve upon their recent efforts in the Champions League, having crashed out at the group stages in the last two seasons.
Since signing Kompany in 2008, City have won 55 per cent of the games he has played in the Premier League and Champions League.
Of the 39 games he has missed, City have won just 46 per cent, and they concede less than a goal a game with the Belgium international in the starting line-up, compared with 1.2 per game without him.
Coverage of Manchester City's clash with Viktoria Plzen is on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm on Tuesday night.