Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is happy calling on Joleon Lescott in Kolo Toure's absence.
He was on the bench ten times in the opening half of the season, and there was plenty of talk that he may be offered up for sale in the transfer window.
Mancini quashed those rumours, making it plain he felt Lescott had an important role to play.
"Joleon is playing well," said Mancini. "I am very happy for him, and he deserves this as he didn't play for a long time.
"But like Kolo, he is a serious man, a serious professional player, and is important for us."
