TEAM NEWS: Nastasic handed Premier League debut for Manchester City

Sep 29, 2012 2:00:00 PM

The Serbian centre-half retains his place in the champions' defence despite Roberto Mancini ringing the changes following League Cup defeat to Aston Villa

Roberto Mancini has handed defender Matija Nastasic his first Premier League start for Manchester City as they prepare to face Fulham.

The centre-back made his City debut against Real Madrid in the Champions League but was replaced by Joleon Lescott for the recent visit of Arsenal.

However, he has returned to the champions' defence alongside Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and club captain Vincent Kompany in a much-changed team following League Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

The hosts, meanwhile, make two changes from their win over Wigan, with the injured Dimitar Berbatov replaced by Bryan Ruiz whilst Alex Kacaniklic makes way for Mladen Petric.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Baird, Sidwell, Rodallega; Ruiz, Petric.

Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Kasami, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Briggs and Smith.

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Barry, Yaya Toure, Garcia; Silva, Aguero, Tevez.

Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Milner, Nasri, Dzeko, Kolarov, Balotelli.

Inside Goal.Com

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