We've kept on track, says Mancini

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Roberto Mancini has shrugged off the City goalkeeper saga and insists it has not affected his team's preparation for the biggest season's finale in the club's recent history.

Marton Fulop has settled in quickly as an emergency signing for the matches against Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham that will decide whether the Blues play in the Champions League.

Shay Given's dislocated shoulder at Arsenal last Saturday left only Faroe Islands rookie Gunnar Nielsen fit with both No.2 Stuart Taylor and Colombian David Gonzalez unavailable.

Mancini sat down for a chat this week with 23-year-old Nielsen, who came off the bench to plug the gap at the Emirates to mark his Premier League debut with a clean sheet.

City's boss said: "I don't think it's a case of Gunnar being disappointed. We spoke about it. Gunnar is a good guy, he understands the situation. This is a very big week for the club.

"We had only one fit goalkeeper - it is impossible that you can play these three games with only one goalkeeper. For us, it was very important to bring in another goalkeeper.

"I was very pleased with Gunnar at
Arsenal, he did so well when Shay was
injured. Gunnar came on and played a
good game, and we won a good point"

The media made the hunt for Shay's replacement their story of the week, but Mancini added: "It has not affected our focus on preparing to play Villa. Everything is going OK.

"It was simple. We wanted to get a goalkeeper because we only have one fit one, and we asked Sunderland for Marton Fulop - so now we have two goalkeepers for the last three games.

"Marton is a good, experienced goalkeeper. He has settled in well already, he's happy here and I think it is a good chance for him."

mcfc.co.uk