City to breeze French test

Micah Richards could miss out when Manchester City look to banish their derby woes against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

The England defender picked up an ankle injury in the 1-0 defeat by champions and neighbours Manchester United at Eastlands on Sunday and is a major doubt for the Matchday Four visit of the Group A strugglers.

The one bonus for manager Mark Hughes is that City are already secured a place in the Uefa Cup round of 32 after their impressive 2-0 win against FC Schalke 04 in Germany last week made qualifying a mathematical certainty.

Hughes will also be able to call on Pablo Zabaleta after he reported no ill-effects from his 45-minute run-out against Sir Alex Ferguson's side after a recent thigh injury.

"I was genuinely concerned Pablo Zabaleta would break down but he seems to have come through," said a relieved Hughes.

A close-range Wayne Rooney finish just before half-time was enough to send top-six hopefuls City tumbling to 14th in the Premier League table, just two points above the drop zone, and Hughes will be demanding a response in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in Europe.

PSG, who may include Chelsea old-boys Claude Makelele and Mateja Kezman, have just one point after their first two matches and are rooted to the foot of Group A, so punters considering a £10 free bet may be tempted by a goal fest.