SOCCER:ROBERTO MANCINI has hinted that he may consider letting Emmanuel Adebayor leave Manchester City in January but insisted he would not be dwelling on the situation before the new year arrives. He made it plain he expects the striker to display a similar focus on the here and now.

Adebayor has become frustrated with his lack of starting opportunities at City and claimed this week the club had agreed to loan him to Juventus once the transfer window opens. The assertion was not only untrue, but impossible, given Juventus have signed a player with a non-EU passport, Milos Krasic, in the summer. New rules introduced this summer in Serie A ban clubs from adding more than one such player.

Mancini did not comment directly on those claims today but the City manager suggested the striker should knuckle down in the meantime. “At this moment we have 10 games between now and January 5th, when we play Arsenal,” said Mancini. “All of our players must think about their job. When they play, they must play well, and when they train, they must train hard. At this moment there is no chance for any player to leave this club. This situation can change in January, though.”

On the subject of Adebayor’s lack of playing time, the manager added: “No player is happy when he doesn’t play, but we can only play with 11 players in any game. This player (Adebayor) must concentrate on the games between now and January.”

City will be without the suspended Pablo Zabaleta at Stoke today, meaning Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng could be recalled to the first team if they have recovered from their respective rib and ankle injuries.

Mario Balotelli is also available after his three-match ban for kicking out at Youssouf Mulumbu during City’s win over West Bromwich Albion earlier this month. The Italy striker, who has also missed time with a knee injury, has only played four times for the club since his high-profile move from Internazionale in August, but has already scored three goals.

“Mario is available but I still have to decide,” he said. “I also have Jo and Emmanuel Adebayor as well so maybe he will be on the bench.”