Six miss Swansea visit

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is one of six players absent as Swansea visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Silva continues to struggle with the hamstring injury which has kept him out for the past two games while defenders Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) and Maicon (foot), midfielders Javi Garcia (thigh) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are also missing.

Another midfielder, James Milner, also sits out through suspension after his sending-off at West Brom last weekend.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has no fresh injury concerns when he takes his team to Manchester City.

Laudrup could shift midfielder Michu in attack again after he claimed his sixth goal of the season when employed as a striker in the win over Wigan, but Danny Graham is an option as well.



Midfielders Pablo Hernandez and in-form Wayne Routledge look set to keep Nathan Dyer on the bench, but Swansea have no serious injury problems

Silva out of Ajax showdown

Manchester City will again be without David Silva for tonight's crucial Champions League tie against Ajax in Amsterdam.

The attacking midfielder picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Spain last week and has not travelled to Holland.

And Silva could still be on the sidelines for this weekend's Premier League clash at home to Swansea.

City boss Roberto Mancini will also be without midfield duo Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Javi Garcia (thigh), and defender Maicon (foot) for the Ajax clash, while centre-back Kolo Toure is not registered.

Ajax boss Frank de Boer has no fresh injury or suspension concerns following the 3-3 draw away to Heracles on Saturday.



The four-time European champions are still looking for their first points in this year's renewal after defeats to Dortmund and Real Madrid in their first two outings.

New deal imminent for Silva

Manchester City favourite David Silva is on the brink of signing a lucrative new contract with the reigning Premier League champions.



City have been in talks with the Spanish international's advisers about a new deal, which will put him in the same pay bracket as the likes of Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.



Silva is currently reportedly earning around £130,000-per-week, but the club are keen to reward him for his outstanding form last season and this fresh agreement will see his wages rocket to £190,000-per-week.



Negotiations first started a month ago when City met with Silva's representatives in Barcelona, and now an official announcement is expected next week on their tour of China.



His acceptance of the terms on offer, to keep him at the Etihad Stadium for at least another four or five years, will be a major boost for manager Roberto Mancini, who views the 26-year-old as a key member of his squad.



The former Valencia star was voted Player's Player of the Season last term as he chipped in with six goals and 18 assists in City's title success. News of his new contract will bring an end to speculation linking him with a possible move to Real Madrid.

Silva top of Mourinho’s list

The Sun are today reporting that Manchester City midfielder David Silva is Jose Mourinho’s big transfer target this summer.



It is being suggested that £30 million could see him on his way to the Bernabeu. However, City are of course in a great financial position and will not let one of their star men go easily.



Silva was instrumental in helping The Citizens to their first ever Premier League trophy last season and he has hero status at The Ethiad so may find it difficult to leave the club.



When speaking to Mirror Foolball, Silva’s agent said: “David has signed a long deal with Manchester City and is very happy at the club. Football is always unpredictable but he wants to stay in England.”



The Spanish international will not decide his future until the end of Euro 2012 where he is likely to play a massive part in helping Spain to their third major tournament in a row.



The playmaker’s creativity and calmness in and around the penalty area would attract any team in world football.



Real Madrid are a massive club and the former Valencia man may relish the opportunity to play in his home country with a lot of his national side’s teammates.



He does though, have a lot going for him at the Premier League champions and will no doubt want to help them to more trophies next campaign.