Manchester City have been hit by a defensive crisis going into their game with Chelsea.

After Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at West Brom, Roberto Mancini revealed he is desperately short of defensive options for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Unless Micah Richards recovers from a hamstring injury that kept him out at The Hawthorns, Mancini will have only Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure available to face the only side left with a 100% record.

"We have big problems," he said.

"I hope that Micah Richards can recover. If not I don't know who can play left-back."