The Italian has expressed anger at his side's schedule ahead of tomorrow's Carling Cup quarter-final at Arsenal, a match that will kick off around 50 hours after a draining Barclays Premier League clash at Liverpool ended.

Mancini feels he has no choice but to play an entirely different side and has even threatened to send out junior team players if the situation arises again.

Mancini said: "We will change all the team because this is an incredible situation.

"For this reason the national team arrives at European Championships and World Cups and they are dying - they do not have time to recover.

"To play in two days, two games like this, after a Champions League game, is incredible.

"I think the players should say something about this.

"For the players it is important to play, but it is important also to recover, a minimum three days between one game and another."

Mancini's comments echo similar sentiments expressed by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who must also prepare a side to play at Chelsea in the Carling Cup tomorrow.

Mancini said: "I agree with him.

"I think sometimes we should play with 11 young players, 14-15 years.

"It is not correct, this, not only for us but all the players."

Mancini would have been forced to leave out Gareth Barry and Mario Balotelli for the trip to the Emirates Stadium anyway with both now serving a one-game ban.

Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, fit again after a minor calf injury and looking to resurrect his career with City, is one prominent player likely to feature.

Defenders Kolo Toure and Stefan Savic could come in while little-used former England left-back Wayne Bridge might get a run-out.

Joe Hart's back-up Costel Pantilimon is likely to play in goal while squad men Denis Suarez and Karim Rekik, who have been involved in previous rounds, could get chances.

Left-back Gael Clichy would like to face his former club but, after playing at Anfield, accepts he probably will not.

Clichy, who joined City from the Gunners in a £7million summer deal, said: "That is up to the manager and you have to accept his decision but of course I am ready and if asked to play I will be more than happy to.

"I don't need to speak about Arsenal - it is a great club, a great team with many of my friends there.

"If I can play on Tuesday, or even be involved, it would be something that I would really look forward to.

"But the manager is rotating the players, so we will have to wait and see what his decision is."