City's defence has become a topic for discussion since the early-season clean sheets dried up and Mark Hughes conceded after the 2-2 draw with Fulham there was work to be done.

Mark Ogden in the Telegraph notes that Joleon Lescott has yet to find his best form - as the player himself has admitted - and quotes HUghes on the subject prior to tonight's cup tie.

The boss tells Oggie: "Joleon has played well. Obviously people are wanting to highlight our so-called defensive frailites at the moment, but if you look at the Premier League, only Chelsea have conceded less than us [in fact Aston Villa have also conceded less].

"And in terms of clean sheets, Chelsea are again the only team who have kept more than us, so I would suggest there is not that much that we need to put right.

"Chelsea's back four have played together for four or five seasons. It's rock solid and that comes from the experience of having played together over a long period.

"We haven't had that because of injuries or suspension, but the more games Joleon and Kolo (Toure) play, the better they will gel as a pair."

His Telegraph piece notes also: "City are second favourites, behind Chelsea, to win the Carling Cup this season, despite not having won a trophy of any kind since 1976.

"Hughes admits that ending that barren run makes the Carling Cup a key competition for the club this season."

Elsewhere, the Sun reckons Juventus are preparing a £6million bid for Pablo Zabaleta, while the same paper has Craig Bellamy urging proper fans to shop the ones who hurl "vile" taunts at players. Such faith in human decency, Craig ...