Craig Bellamy's knee injury, and its potential impact on a pivotal stage of City's season, is the focus of attention for James Ducker in his Times preview of the Bolton game.

The Wales skipper's huge contribution so far this season has seen even his sternest critics accept that his approach and ability are a key element in the chase for fourth place.

Now, cautions Ducker, "City face an anxious wait over the fitness of Craig Bellamy after the forward suffered another knee injury.

"Bellamy will miss City’s Barclays Premier League match at home to Bolton Wanderers tonight with a medial ligament strain to his right knee and the club are unlikely to know the full extent of the problem for another couple of days.

"The injury is not thought to be serious but it raises questions over Bellamy’s availability during what Roberto Mancini, the City manager, described yesterday as a 'crucial' month for his team in their pursuit of a top-four finish."

As he points out, while FA Cup and League matches against Stoke are imminent, "Mancini will be particularly keen to ensure that Bellamy is fit for the league matches at home to Liverpool on February 21 and away to Chelsea six days later".

Duck adds: "Bellamy attended the London clinic yesterday morning of Andy Williams, the knee specialist whom he has consulted regularly in recent years, after experiencing discomfort during City’s 2-1 defeat by Hull on Saturday, when he was substituted after an hour."

He reports the manager's confidence that a full squad and two games in hand on fourth-place Liverpool will help the currently-sixth Blues prevail, quoting Mancini: "February is very important - it is a crucial moment."

Meanwhile over in Brazil, hard-up Santos have acquired three new shirt sponsors since the high-profile arrival of Robinho, reports Ashley Gray in the Mail. And Robi has acquired a new nickname, O Rei das Pedaladas - King of the Stepovers. Why didn't we think of that?