Defensive problems mount for Mancini

(GSM) – Roberto Mancini will have to do without Nedum Onuoha for at least three weeks. The Manchester City youngster has been ruled out with a calf strain and adds to City’s defensive injury concerns.

Onuoha picked up his injury during the match against Sunderland (4-3 win). The 23-year-old only made his first start of the season against Tottenham last Wednesday after an injury to England international Joleon Lescott.

The former England Under-21 international is expected to be out for three to four weeks, therefore ruling him out of Mancini’s first game in charge at home to Stoke City on Boxing Day.

The new Italian manager will have serious defensive worries in January. Besides the injured Onuoha and Lescott (who is expected to remain at the sidelines for at least four more weeks), Mancini will also be without Kolo Toure who will play at the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.