Antoine Sibierski is doubtful with a neck injury but Joey Barton, whose brother Michael has been in court this week facing a murder charge, is back after being suspended for the goalless draw with Balckburn last week.
Robbie Fowler is likely to be on the bench after playing 90 minutes in the reserves' 4-2 league defeat by United on Monday.
City went 2-0 up through Sibierski and Bradley Wright-Phillips, but Giuseppe Rossi hit a hat-trick as league leaders United fought back. City are sixth in the table.