Manuel Pellegrini is convinced Manchester City do not depend too much on captain Vincent Kompany despite their poor defensive record without him.
The coach is also convinced he has the strongest team in the Premier League with everyone fit.
Kompany is poised to return for the Boxing Day visit of Sunderland after eight games out with a calf injury.
City have kept seven clean sheets in eight games with Kompany in the team this season, and only one in the nine games without him.
That comes soon after star striker Sergio Aguero overcame a heel problem and, with Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando also back in the frame, what was recently a worryingly long injury list is easing.
Playmaker Samir Nasri, who is expected to be out until the spring after a tendon operation, is now the only major absentee.
Pellegrini is pleased enough with his side’s position — third in the table and still in all three cup competitions — despite inconsistent form.
But he knows well enough the imminent return of Kompany — after the latest in a series of muscle problems — gives his team a big lift.
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