CITIZENS IN POLE POSITION FOR BENARBIA

The 32-year-old PSG playmaker was linked with a move to Premiership side Sunderland earlier in the month but, as Planetfootball revealed, negotiations failed and The Citizens are now favourites for his signature.

The capture of Benarbia, who can leave the French capital on a free transfer, would represent a major coup for First Division City as they look to bounce back into The Premiership at the first attempt.

Meanwhile, The Blues have received a major boost with the news that £1.5 million signing Eyal Berkovic will be sidelined for 10 days and not six weeks as first thought. 

"Eyal should be fit in ten days. He has not done his hamstring in the way he did against Norwich. It was more a warning and fortunately he pulled up straight away and walked off the pitch," confirmed Keegan.