Manchester City's Returning Stars Offer Boost Ahead of Crucial Period

With Manchester City set to face a crucial period of the season in the coming weeks, there are plenty of issues both on and off the field of huge significance.

Arsenal play City next at the Etihad, followed by an FA Cup fourth-round home tie with Middlesbrough, with a trip to leaders Chelsea—a match of serious importance to this season’s title race—bringing the month to an end.

City’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday saw them slip two points behind Chelsea and allow Jose Mourinho’s side the initiative in the title race once again. It was a disappointing result given the dominance they showed, with profligate first-half finishing their downfall.

It was the first game City played without Yaya Toure, who is now on AFCON duty with the Ivory Coast, an absence which could stretch until February 8.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

City haven’t won a Premier League match without Toure since last April, and the concern is that by the time he returns, they may have fallen further behind Chelsea.

There’s no doubting his importance to the side. However, this season, City have more midfield options than in previous campaigns, with Fernando and Frank Lampard bringing further variety to Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.

Fernando gave arguably his best display in a blue shirt on Saturday at Goodison Park, demonstrating a clear knack of finding himself in the right place at the right time and producing a string of interceptions and tackles that denied Everton any rhythm in attack.

He brings more defensive protection to City than any other player in the squad, which could be crucial in the coming league games.

And with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Edin Dzeko now all back in contention for a place in the side after injuries, City are being boosted at just the right time.

Aguero brings obvious qualities, given his position as the club’s most feared marksman. His tally of 19 goals in 21 games this season has further underlined his credentials as arguably the finest pure striker in Europe.

And with Eliaquim Mangala still looking nervy, despite the huge strides he’s made in recent weeks, Kompany’s return is certainly a timely one.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Mangala’s City career has veered from the sublime to the ridiculous at times, but there had been signs of huge improvement before a rather shaky display at Goodison.

Quick, strong and athletic, it’s clear he has much to offer, but his footwork, at the moment, is a real concern. He looks uncomfortable in possession, a situation which creates unease at the back. Kompany is the team’s leader on the pitch and a partnership with Martin Demichelis, arguably the most assured defender at the club, seems logical in the short term.

Meanwhile, James Milner still hasn’t agreed a contract extension with the club.

Milner is a free agent in the summer and can talk to foreign clubs now about a move in June, an uncomfortable situation for City who want him to stay.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

After the game with Everton, Pellegrini said he hoped Milner would sign a new deal in the coming days, but it’s a saga which has dragged on and is now causing some concern for the City fans who appreciate his work rate and versatility.

"I hope that James will stay here, and he will sign his contract in the next few days," Pellegrini said.

The next few weeks look set to be critical in City's season.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.