Mancini: Lescott 'important' player

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has stressed he still regards Joleon Lescott as an important player.

England centre-half Lescott played a key role in City's Barclays Premier League title success last season, but has been dropped for some significant fixtures this term. It has made for an uncertain situation for the former Everton man.

And speaking ahead of City's next Champions League assignment - Wednesday's home clash with Borussia Dortmund - the Italian said: "He is one of the best defenders. But I have six or seven defenders and I made a different choice last week and in Madrid. Tomorrow I will decide again, but Joleon is an important player for us."

The 30-year-old was an unused substitute for the recent league matches at Liverpool and at Fulham, as well as the Blues' Champions League Group D opener against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, where summer signing Matija Nastasic was chosen ahead of him to partner captain Vincent Kompany in central defence in a 3-2 defeat.