DESPITE their lowly position, Manchester City are playing their best football since Alan Ball took over the hot seat at Maine Road.

They may be only three places off the bottom of the table, with relegation a distinct possibility, but their pocket dynamo manager is loving every minute.

Ray Harford takes his Euro-chasing Rovers to City on Saturday (March 2), knowing victory is vital if they are going to claim one of the few UEFA Cup places up for grabs.

But Ball warned: "We're playing the best football I have seen since I came here and we aren't afraid of anyone. For the last month we have been exceptional."

City's rise in form coincided with the arrival of Nigel Clough from Liverpool. At £1.5 million, he could prove one of the bargains of the season in a money-mad transfer market.

Ball said: "Nigel is a quality player and true professional. He didn't quite fit in at Liverpool but has been in superb form since coming here."

The 29-year-old midfield star took a massive salary cut to leave Anfield, whom he joined from Nottingham Forest for £2.75m.

And so far he has repaid Ball's faith by grabbing three goals and plenty of headlines.

He added: "In Nigel and Georghi Kinkladze, we have two of the most exciting players in the Premiership.

"I have been delighted with the way our side has been performing and to say we have been unlucky is an understatement."

Ball was referring to the way City let league leaders Newcastle off the hook on Saturday and the shocking penalty decision given against Manchester United in the FA Cup which set up victory for their arch-rivals.

"Luck is just not going our way at the moment and it would be tempting fate to say it will change on Saturday."

Rovers will be without Stuart Ripley for the trip after he aggravated the same hamstring which has kept him sidelined against Liverpool.

Either Matt Holmes, Graham Fenton or Swedish international Niklas Gudmundsson could fill the vacant wide role.

Mike Newell is set to return to the squad after serving a two-match suspension.

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