Mancini warns 'so-so' City ahead of Stoke crunch and could risk Bellamy

Manchester City must improve on their "so-so" form or else it could be no-no for their Champions League and FA Cup hopes.

That's the word boss Roberto Mancini used to sum up City's last two indifferent displays and he knows they need to improve in their make-or-break three games in nine days.

First up tonight is a testing trip to Stoke and sandwiched between this and the Blues' FA Cup replay at the Britannia a week tomorrow is a huge clash with Champions League rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

The suave Mancini has reacted with characteristic coolness to the first big test of his City career.

The Italian is refusing to panic at seeing his City side go off the boil after the storming start under him when they won his first four games in charge.

"When we won against Bolton, we played so-so," said Mancini. "Against Stoke on Saturday, we played very well in the first half. Second half so-so, but we didn't have Carlos, we didn't have Bellamy and we lost Petrov 10 minutes into the second half."

Carlos Tevez will be missing again at Stoke, although he is expected to return from Argentina to face Liverpool at Eastlands after being at his partner's side when she gave birth back home in South America.

Craig Bellamy has resumed training following his latest bout of knee trouble and Mancini must decide whether or not to risk him.

City badly missed Tevez and Bellamy's energy up front in Saturday's disappointing draw with Stoke and frustrated Blues fans booed at the final whistle.

Mancini, who is boosted by the return of Adam Johnson after he was cup-tied on Saturday, said: "It's difficult when you miss players.

"It's important for us that these players recover to help us prepare for this game.

"It can be dangerous when you play against Stoke, because every throw-in, every corner, they are dangerous."

Joleon Lescott admits City have made it hard for themselves because of their failure to finish off Stoke on Saturday.

But the England defender refuses to be downbeat and has called on his team-mates to seize their chance against Stoke, which is one of their two games in hand on Liverpool, to claim fourth spot.

"I would say Saturday was an opportunity missed," said the centre-half. "We played well and I think we deserved to win, but we needed the second goal because you know that Stoke can always be a threat.

"We know that we're not out of things and that we now have to go to the Britannia and win twice in a week.

"That's not an easy thing to do but we have the ability. Maybe they are favourites now for the replay with home advantage, but with Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy back, and if Shaun Wright-Phillips plays the way he did on Saturday, then we always fancy ourselves to get a goal.

"We know it will be physical and hostile at Stoke on Tuesday and in the replay, but as far as the first game goes it is one of our games in hand.

"We have the carrot of a top-four place as our prize so we will go there with confidence and with a couple of additional attacking options at the manager's disposal.

"Then we've got Liverpool, which is another vital match, coming to our place and after that, and only after that, can we then think about the replay."