Mancini insists Man City squad still short

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists his squad is still short of numbers.

Despite City's vast wealth, Mancini spent modestly in the January transfer window, signing Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan and then adding young winger Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough on deadline day.

However, he inherited a large and talented squad following Mark Hughes' spending spree last summer, and that has meant he has received little sympathy while continually referring to the injury problems he has encountered since taking over.

That does not mean Mancini is about to change his tune.

"I think this is a good squad but we have had more players injured and this is difficult," he said. "In midfield, we have had only three midfielders, Gareth (Barry), Nigel (de Jong) and Stephen (Ireland), and it's impossible that you can play a season with only three midfielders."