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Bellamy worry for City Craig Bellamy is set to miss out against Bolton as a result of his long-standing knee injury.

The Wales forward is meeting with a specialist in London on Monday to get a check-up on the problem, but boss Roberto Mancini does not think it is serious and hopes to have him back by the weekend.

Joleon Lescott has returned to training and is likely to be on the bench after completing 45 minutes of a training match, but Dedryck Boyata could continue in defence as Vincent Kompany is still struggling with a groin problem and Micah Richards doubtful because of a calf injury.

Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson are expected to be involved again after impressing in their debuts as substitutes in the defeat at Hull on Saturday, while Roque Santa Cruz has recovered from a calf strain.

Two defeats have seen Mancini already equal the number suffered by Mark Hughes before he was sacked, but the Italian believes the big money spent by his club have put a target on their backs.

"When City play against Bolton or Hull or Wolverhampton they plays always at 200%, but this is good for us because we are growing now and when clubs play against us they are playing against a top squad," he said.

"If we want to be up there we must play at the same level. They fight for every ball so we must change our mentality." Bolton are likely to be in unforgiving mood for one of their derby matches, and Mancini has been impressed by the Trotters under new manager Owen Coyle.

"I watched Bolton's last three or four games and they have played very well, very aggressively, and changed mentality under a good manager," he said.

"We must concentrate at 100% because it will be a difficult game.

"Two weeks ago they were 2-0 up (after half an hour) against Arsenal in London and this is important because it shows they play very aggressively.

"This match is very important because after we go to Stoke, which could be a battle, and after that we start playing important matches against Liverpool and Chelsea, so it is important we win this game." Bolton manager Owen Coyle will be without Gary Cahill as the defender recovers from a blood clot in his arm.

The England hopeful was set to be released from hospital on Monday but could miss the rest of the season.

On-loan winger Vladimir Weiss is also absent as the Slovakian cannot face his parent club.

Andy O'Brien (thigh) and Fabrice Muamba (ankle) are both doubtful through injury while Gavin McCann and Ivan Klasnic remain sidelined.

Coyle wants his team to maintain a mean streak during Cahill's enforced absence.

Coyle said: "You are always disappointed when you lose one of your best players. You want them available all the time.

"When they are not available you go with the ones you have and you look for them to do their best.

"The players wear that shirt with pride here and will give everything they can.

Man City vs Bolton

Last modified 22:55 09/02/10

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Much was expected of him on his first start for Manchester City after the glimpse he gave on his debut at Hull on Saturday.

And Adam Johnson did not disappoint as he ripped Bolton apart last night.

City like to think of themselves as forward looking under Sheikh Mansour, but Johnson's performance was a real throwback to the days of old fashioned wingers.

He produced a classic display of flank play as he repeatedly beat Paul Robinson for pace and skill, getting to the byline and putting over an excellent supply of crosses.

The former Middlesbrough man also won City their penalty from which they opened the scoring in this morale-boosting victory.

At £6.5million, Johnson is an absolute bargain and it looks like City will soon be paying the £1million add-on when he makes his full England debut.

He outshone City's other new boy, Patrick Vieira, although the thirtysomething Frenchman showed his class to set up Emmanuel Adebayor for City's second.

The win was the perfect tonic for City after their surprise defeat to Hull and puts them back in the box seat in the race for a Champions League spot.

They are fifth - level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool - and have a game in hand on their rivals.

Johnson was thrilled by his man of the match display and said: "There was a lot of pressure on my because it was my home debut and I was delighted with my performance.

"The players around me made it easy and it's great to play alongside world-class players like Patrick and Carlos."

Roberto Mancini started Johnson in the middle before moving him out to the right wing, where he ran amok.

"Adam is a young player and he is a very good player," said the City manager. "I know his position is on the wing, but I think he can learn from playing behind the striker.

"I think it is important that players can play in different positions and Adam can be a valuable player for us."

Of the third new boy making his first start last night, Jack Wilshere also stood out and his assured display in the centre of midfield was the highlight for Bolton, who remain just above the relegation zone.

City carved out the first chance when Adebayor connected with an overhead kick from 12 yards out, which went wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's left-hand post.

Carlos Tevez then released Gareth Barry down the left channel and the England midfielder's drive was deflected off Knight for a corner.

Bolton got a foothold in the game only for Robinson to put his foot in it when he stupidly lunged at Johnson to chop him down and concede a penalty.

Tevez almost made a hash of the spot-kick, blasting it straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen, and it was only the sheer power of his shot which took it over the line.

Wanderers might have had a penalty when Kolo Toure took out Johan Elmander, but referee Mike Jones ruled for a shove by the Swede on the City defender, while Kevin Davies took a bit of a battering.

The visitors showed fight and Fabrice Muamba's deflected drive off Vincent Kompany was well saved by Shay Given.

Back came City and makeshift centre-half Sam Ricketts dropped a ricket when he headed the ball straight to the feet of Adebayor, who should have done better than shoot across goal.

Tevez continued his duel with Jaaskelainen after the break and he went close to embarrassing the Bolton goalkeeper with a whipped free-kick which bounced off the top of the bar with the Finn rooted to the spot.

City were forced to make a change at the back when Toure was forced off with a niggle, which is not believed to be serious, to be replaced by Joleon Lescott.

It didn't derail City and Johnson cut Bolton open down the right yet again before hitting a curling shot, which Jaaskelainen did well to touch away for a corner.

Wanderers had no answer to Johnson's pace and skill and Muamba was booked for chopping down the ex-England Under-21 star.

It was hard to blame the Wanderers midfielder and there was no stopping Johnson.

Not to be outdone, Vieira showed he still has some of the old magic as he played a delightful through ball to Adebayor, who controlled it beautifully on his chest before volleying home right-footed on 73 minutes for his ninth goal of the season.