Manchester City vs Sunderland LIVE: Latest score and updates from the Etihad

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Manchester city manager Manuel Pellegrini is being linked with Chelsea (Getty Images)

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Manchester City vs Sunderland.

Manuel Pellegrini's team lost ground on the leaders last week after a poor 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, with City picking up just seven points of their last possible 18.

After winning two in a row a month ago, Sam Allardyce's Sunderland are back in the relegation after losing three successive matches.

• Influential City captainVincent Kompany expected to return after missing the last eight

• Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando also return

• Samir Nasri the only injury concern for Pellegrini

• Allardyce will be without senior centre-back Younes Kaboul, who has a hamstring injury

• Jack Rodwell is suspended and won't play against his former side, but Jermain lens is back

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