Manchester City v Swansea City: Manuel Pellegrini admits his side are working towards improving defensive frailties

The Chilean also confirms that captain Vincent Kompany could return to action next week, having missed 12 games with a groin injury

Manuel Pellegrin has said that his Manchester City side are working to address their defensive frailties (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says his team are working hard to iron out their defensive problems.

While City have been hugely impressive in attack this season - scoring 56 goals in all competitions - they have appeared vulnerable at the back at times.

Their weaknesses have been most noticeable in the absence of inspirational captain and centre-back Vincent Kompany, who has missed 12 games through injury.

Matija Nastasic, Martin Demichelis, Micah Richards and Gael Clichy have also had spells on the sidelines while goalkeeping issues concerning Joe Hart have been well documented.

Concerns were far from the mind in last Sunday's 6-0 thrashing of Tottenham but elements of the performance in the 4-2 defeat of Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday did see them resurface.

Pellegrini said: "In the last two game here at home in Champions League, both teams scored two goals. It is too much.

"Especially in the last game - Plzen did not just score two goals but they had more chances.

"We are working every day in that sense.

"I suppose we will continue the same way we did against Tottenham - a very strong team with important players in attack and they didn't have any chances."

Pellegrini will hope the imminent return of Kompany will further bolster the back line although the Belgian, who has been out for close to two months, will not feature this weekend.

Kompany has now recovered from a thigh problem but is not deemed sufficiently match-fit for Sunday's visit of Swansea in the Barclays Premier League.

Nastasic is facing another three weeks out with a calf injury and so Demichelis may again partner Joleon Lescott.

Pellegrini said: "Vincent Kompany is fit and he is not ready to play on Sunday but I think next week he will be without any problems.

"Nastasic needs more time to recover - I think three weeks more."

The injury situation has seen Pellegrini deploy several different central defensive partnerships already this season and Pellegrini admits that has not helped.

He said: "One of the reasons must be that we made a lot of changes every week, especially at centre-back.

"I think the individual performances in defence are very important.

"If you play in attack and you play not so well, it is not so important for the team.

"Goalkeepers and centre-backs can make one mistake in a game and maybe the other team score a goal, so the position is different and the injuries we have had is one of the causes."

City have scored 22 of their goals in their last four home games, including last week's destruction of Tottenham and a 7-0 rout of Norwich.

Pellegrini, who was tasked with improving City's style when he took charge in the summer, has no intention of curbing his team but just wants to get the balance right.

He said: "For me the most important thing is to win the next match.

"If we can win 1-0, perfect. If we can score eight goals, also perfect.

"We are going to try always to be an attacking team but also a balanced team.

"If we continue in the same way, I think the fans and all of us are going to be happy."

Pellegrini would not confirm whether Hart or Costel Pantilimon would start in goal when he met media to preview the visit of Swansea.

Long-time number one Hart returned in place of Pantilimon in midweek after being left out for the five previous fixtures.

The England goalkeeper acquitted himself well to raise the possibility of a regular return.

Hart remains central to England's World Cup plans and this issue has commanded much attention.

Pellegrini anticipated that continuing and pre-empted questions on the subject by speaking unprompted at his pre-match press conference.

"Joe Hart, I think he played very, very well the other day," he said as he sat down.

"He had a good performance. We trust a lot in him and we will see who will start on Sunday.

"This will save a lot of time asking questions!"

Hart was not at fault for either of the goals conceded to Plzen and made two good saves in the second half.

It remains to be seen whether that proves enough for Pellegrini to fully reinstate him.

The Chilean said: "All the players give me a lot of things to think about and that is my job.

"When they give good performances, it is very easy. Not difficult, easy."

PA