ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP FOURTH ROUND Manchester City v Scunthorpe Utd: MARK HUGHES has spoken of his conviction that Joleon Lescott will justify his €25 million price tag despite an erratic start for the Manchester City signing since becoming the third most expensive defender in the game.

Lescott has made several errors that have led to opposition goals since moving from Everton in August.

After starting the season with four clean sheets, City have not managed one in the last seven.

“He’s a young player,” Hughes said. “What I was talking about was the potential he had to grow as a player. The stage he’s on now, with the expectation levels here, will enable him to fulfil that potential and I’ve no doubt Joleon will be an outstanding player for many, many years, and that people will see that very quickly.

“You have to understand, though, that this is a new back four and the more games Joleon and Kolo (Toure) play together the better they will gel as a pair. Chelsea’s back four is rock solid and that comes from the experience of having played together over four or five years.

“We haven’t had that and at times we have had to change around because of injuries or suspensions, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Hughes may have to change his defence again tonight because Toure is suffering from a heel injury and Wayne Bridge has a groin problem, meaning a debut for Sylvinho.

Martin Petrov will also miss out because of a knee injury but Roque Santa Cruz could figure after missing the Fulham game with tonsillitis.

Guardian Service