Manchester City will aim to send out a message during their Europa League trip to Lech Poznan.
Blues aim to quell crisis talk and book place in last 32
Manchester City will aim to send out a message during their Europa League trip to Lech Poznan on Thursday night.
The ambitious Blues have suffered two straight defeats in the Premier League, losing 2-1 at lowly Wolves last Saturday, while they have also been faced with reports of in-fighting at Eastlands.
James Milner clashed with Yaya Toure during the 3-0 home defeat by Arsenal, while Vincent Kompany exchanged heated words with Emmanuel Adebayor on the pitch at Wolves.
It has been suggested that manager Roberto Mancini has fallen out with Yaya and his brother Kolo, both of whom have not travelled to Poland due to minor injury complaints.
But the Italian boss has rubbished claims he is losing the dressing room, saying "if there's someone who wants to write these lies then I'm very happy for them".
Hunger
Milner has dismissed the reports as "nonsense", insisting the on-field disagreements merely show the players' hunger to succeed, while the England winger stated that the City squad is a tight group and, if anything, he believes the speculation could help bring them closer together.
City have the opportunity to demonstrate that in Poland, where they know victory will secure a place in the knockout stage of a competition they are desperate to win this season.
The Blues are top of Group A after three games, three points ahead of Lech and four clear of third-placed Juventus, who were held at home by Lech on matchday one.
The Polish champions also impressed at Eastlands two weeks ago before City ran out 3-1 winners thanks to an Adebayor hat-trick - the first by a City player in Europe, which also put City on 99 European goals.
That result came during a run of four straight defeats for Lech, which has led to coach Jacek Zielinski being replaced by former Barcelona midfielder Jose Mari Bakero this week.
Team news
Lech beat Wisla Krakow 4-1 at the weekend but that was not enough for Zielinski to keep his job as the defending champions are third-bottom with just three wins from 10 league games this season.
Artjoms Rudòevs could return to Lech's starting line-up after appearing from the bench at Eastlands.
The Latvian striker bagged a brace in the recent cup win over Cracovia Krakow, which were his first goals since his memorable hat-trick against Juve.
Mateusz Mozdzezn is also hoping to feature after the 19-year-old midfielder came off the bench to score the first goal of his career at the weekend.
City talisman Carlos Tevez is recovering from a thigh injury and is not expected back from Argentina until Thursday but the skipper could face West Brom at the weekend so Mario Balotelli may start.
The Italian striker, who scored against FC Timisoara in the play-offs, made his first City start at Wolves after being sidelined with a knee injury.
Balotelli has been struggling with a thigh problem this week but travelled to Poland following a morning training session.
Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov could be named on the bench after being sidelined since the opening day with an ankle injury.
