Manchester City will be looking to prove a point at Blackburn on Saturday as they return to action following the latest Carlos Tevez saga.
The unsettled striker refused to come off the bench during Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League game at Bayern Munich, sparking outrage amongst City fans and consternation across the footballing world.
It would be optimistic for City to think they can put the episode behind them this weekend - this story will run and run.
But manager Roberto Mancini will be hoping for a performance that shows he can put out a team which is committed to the cause and capable of maintaining a title challenge amid the intense media scrutiny that has surrounded the club this week, and will inevitably continue to surround them all season.
City's 2-0 defeat in Munich was their first of the season and means they have ground to make up if they are to make the knockout stage, but the Blues are flying high in the Premier League.
City are level with neighbours United again at the top of the table after last week's hard-fought win over Everton, which saw the Blues get back to winning ways after dropping their first points at Fulham the week before.
Mario Balotelli came on for Edin Dzeko against Everton and turned the game in City's favour, scoring the opener and putting in perhaps his best performance in a sky blue shirt.
Dzeko actually sparked the midweek drama, reacting angrily after being brought off for fit-again midfielder Nigel de Jong. And although Mancini insists all is forgiven following Dzeko's apology,
Balotelli could be handed his league start of the season after being suspended in midweek.City's troubles will no doubt encourage Blackburn, who managed to upset another of the big boys in their last home game, taking advantage of Arsenal's turbulent start to claim a welcome 4-2 win.
That eased the pressure on manager Steve Kean although Rovers were unable to build on that at Newcastle last week, suffering a 3-1 defeat which saw them slip back into the bottom three.
Rovers have failed to beat City in their last seven meetings, with Dzeko scoring the only goal at Ewood Park last April, and they picked up several injuries in the Newcastle game.
But Kean has challenged his fringe players to make the most of their chance to impress and they know another upset on Saturday could send them as high as 11th.
Team news
Scott Dann, Michel Salgado and Gael Givet have joined Rovers' injury list, while Martin Olsson is suspended following his red card at Newcastle.
Ryan Nelson (knee) is also unavailable, although David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Goodwillie are expected to be back in contention.
Simon Vukcevic, Radosav Petrovic, Jason Roberts and Ruben Rochina are also pushing for a starting spot.
City have suspended Tevez for two weeks while Balotelli could replace Dzeko and partner top scorer Sergio Aguero up front.
De Jong is in contention after coming on for his first appearance in six weeks in Munich, although fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves is still not ready to start a Premier League game.
Mancini may recall Joleon Lescott in the centre of defence after giving Kolo Toure a surprise start in midweek.
Possible starting XIs:
Rovers: Robinson, Hanley, Samba, Nzonzi, Petrovic, Pedersen, Dunn, Hoilett, Formica, Roberts, Yakubu.
City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Barry, Y Toure, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.
Source:www.skysports.com
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