Elano back for quarter-final

Last updated : 18 December 2007 By Ben Collins
City's Brazilian star has missed the last 2 games with a hamstring injury but has been passed fit for the Blues' bid to reach their first cup semi-final since 1981.

Young keeper Joe Hart will also return while in-form striker Rolando Bianchi is another confirmed starter for the crucial match.

Tickets are priced at £20 and available at the ground right up until kick-off.

Andreas Isaksson has been in goal in recent weeks but Sven will give Hart one last chance to stake his claim for a regular spot before confirming his first-choice keeper later this week.

Kasper Schmeichel started the season in goal, followed by Hart and Isaksson once they receovered from injury, and all three have impressed both on the pitch and on the training ground when left out of the side.

Otherwise Sven has confirmed he will name his strongest line-up rather than blooding youngsters, as he has done in earlier rounds.

Elano is therefore set to replace Gelson Fernandes, with Michael Johnson and Didi Hamann behind him in the centre of midfield.

Bianchi should play as the lone striker after returning to form with 2 goals in 2 games, with Darius Vassell - man of the match in the 4-2 win over Bolton on Saturday - playing wide right.

Should the game go into extra-time, Sven will have plenty of options on the bench in Fernandes, Kelvin Etuhu, Geovanni and Emile Mpenza.