Last Updated: Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:19
Samir Nasri is banned for the New Year's Day visit of Stoke after Manchester City made a late decision not to appeal his red card.
It was expected that the France international midfielder would be available to play on Tuesday when City boss Roberto Mancini indicated that an appeal would be lodged after Nasri saw red for an alleged headbutt at Sebastien Bassong in the first half of Saturday's 4-3 win at Carrow Road.
The Italian argued that Nasri did no more than Bassong, who received a booking for the challenge which provoked the City man's response.
Appealing would have allowed Nasri to face Stoke as, due to the holiday season, a hearing would not have been heard until Wednesday. But by doing so the club would run the risk of having the ban extended if the appeal was deemed frivolous.
With Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Abdul Razak now due to depart for African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast after the Stoke game - rather than after Saturday's FA Cup tie against Watford as first thought - it was considered too much of a gamble.
And a statement from the club read: "The Football Association has confirmed that Samir Nasri will serve a three-match suspension, following his red card during the 4-3 win at Norwich on Saturday.
"Nasri will now miss the New Year's Day visit from Stoke City, the FA Cup tie with Watford (January 5) and the trip to Arsenal on January 13."
Mancini is set to continue with Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero in attack following their successful partnership at Norwich, although Carlos Tevez will be pushing for a start while Mario Balotelli is still absent because of a virus.
Full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Maicon again look set to miss out with respective knee injuries along with the long-term casualties of defender Micah Richards and midfielder Jack Rodwell.
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
