Garrido is facing a threat to his place from Michael Ball for tonight's Carling Cup fourth round clash with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

But, whether the £1.5million signing from Real Sociedad features or not as City look to book a quarter-final spot, he will certainly be involved on Monday as Eriksson's side attempt to maintain their 100% home record by beating Sunderland.

Like so many of Eriksson's signings, Garrido has impressed hugely this term.

However, he was badly caught out at Stamford Bridge as City capitulated to their worst league defeat since 1995.

The Swede has accused his side of "giving up". But, in Garrido's case, Eriksson is sure the woeful display was strictly a one-off.

"I will defend Garrido until my death," said Eriksson.

"He is an extremely good player and a big fighter.

"He had a bad time on Saturday, especially in the second half, but he was in very good company. There were 10 others who had a really bad time as well.

"If you don't help each other out, it is very easy for a defender to become exposed. To point out one player is absolutely wrong.

"Every single person could have done better - and they all know it.

"Garrido has been fantastic. It is his first year in the Premier League but he looks as though he has been here for 10.

"He has not played a senior international for Spain yet but I am quite sure he will."

Eriksson said he was curious to see how his side respond to the defeat and was undecided about whether to make major changes to his starting line-up, or hand the men who condemned the former England boss to his worst defeat of his managerial career an opportunity to redeem themselves.

One man who will certainly play, for the first time this season, is Sweden's World Cup keeper Andreas Isaksson, although Eriksson was at pains to stress the decision to omit England Under-21 keeper Joe Hart had been made long before Saturday's nightmare unfolded.

"It has been decided for several weeks," he said.

"Andreas has been training for quite a while and he needed a chance to show how good he is.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with Joe Hart's performance on Saturday. He was actually one of the few people we might want to take from the game. But now it is Andreas' time."