Pablo Zabaleta hopeful of FA Cup return

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that he "should be fine" to feature in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Stoke City.

The Argentine suffered a foot injury in the weekend's 2-0 win over Fulham, but has quelled suggestions that the knock will keep him on the sidelines.

"I took a kick on the top of my foot which caused me a lot of pain afterwards and that's the reason it was better that I came off," he told the club's official website.

"Thankfully, the scan showed there was no serious damage. I should be fine for Saturday but it will be a couple of days before it is 100% again."

Zabaleta has nailed down the right-back spot in the City team this season.