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Roberto Mancini is set to have the spine of his Manchester City side restored as they bid to hold on to a second-place finish in the Premier League.

Skipper and centre-back Vincent Kompany, midfielder Yaya Toure and striker Sergio Aguero are all set to return for the champions in Saturday's game against Newcastle.

The trio have not started a game together since the champions' 3-0 win over Stoke on New Year’s Day, and their en-masse return will be a welcome boost for Mancini.

Kompany has been sidelined for two months with calf problems, a knee injury has kept Aguero out of action since February 24 and Toure missed the 2-0 defeat at Everton with a migraine.

(Image: Chris Brunskill - The FA)

The sight of the cavalry coming over the hill couldn't be better timed for City, as the game is a must win now Chelsea have closed to within four points after the champions defeat at Goodison Park just before the international break.

And with Tottenham just a point further back, City now face a very real threat to their hopes of securing an automatic Champions League place.

The top three teams in the Premier League qualify automatically for the Champions League, with the fourth-placed side having to pre-qualify in August.

With City travelling to champions-elect Manchester United on April 8 and to White Hart Lane to face Spurs on April 21, Mancini’s men must ensure they do not concede further ground.