Sven has injury concerns over Elano and Dunne

Elano holds off Blumer of Reading before he was substituted during the weekend win with a hamstring injury
13 April 2012

Sven Goran Eriksson is hopeful a quartet of unwanted injuries will clear up ahead of Manchester City's Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan on Saturday.

Vedran Corluka and Elano were both substituted during the weekend win over Reading with hamstring injuries, Emile Mpenza left the field with a thigh problem and skipper Richard Dunne reported tightness in his calf immediately after the 2-1 win at Eastlands.

Given Rolando Bianchi and Darius Vassell were also absent against the Royals with injuries and Valeri Bojinov is still some way off a full recovery from cruciate knee ligament damage, Eriksson can ill afford a mass of injuries as the campaign hits is most congested phase.

However, the Swede has been buoyed by news from the City medical team that all four players should be fit for the short trip to the JJB Stadium, where Steve Bruce will take charge of Wigan for the first time.

Although they would regard themselves as a superior force to their north-west neighbours, City, who will go above Manchester United into second if they win, have never actually collected a point against Wigan in four previous Premier League meetings.

And, as the Blues have not won away from home in the league since the opening day of the season, Saturday's game represents another acid test of their top-six hopes.

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