EXCLUSIVE by Neil Bonnar

MANCHESTER City are set for a clear out of midfield stars.

Fans favourites like Gerard Wiekens, Kevin Horlock and Danny Granville could be sold off to reduce a massively over-staffed midfield squad.

City have far too many experienced and highly paid midfield players to keep them all - and City's accountants - happy.

Apart from his first choice midfield quartet of Ali Benarbia, Eyal Berkovic, Christian Negoui and Danny Tiatto, there is a glut of other quality players who have been regular performers this season such as Granville, Wiekens, Horlock, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dickson Etuhu.

They also have Alfie Haaland and Jeff Whitley recovering from injury and versatile players like Darren Huckerby, Simon Colosimo and Lucien Mettomo can give Kevin Keegan further midfield options.

The midfield log jam produces an unhealthy situation for talented youngsters like Chris Shuker who are looking to force their way into the first team.

Next five games: Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers away (Worthington Cup 4th round); Saturday, Dec 1st Grimsby Town away; Tuesday, December 4th Millwall away; Saturday 8th Crystal Palace away; Tuesday 11th Wolves home.