Mancini believes Manchester City can finish in the top four this season

Stoke City are capable of taking a point from Roberto Mancini's first game in charge of Manchester City on Boxing Day, according to Nigel Gleghorn.

Gleghorn, who played for both clubs, told BBC Radio Stoke that the Potters will not be affected by the occasion.

"It's probably a good time for Stoke to be going there. It's going to be a baptism of fire for Mancini," he said.

"I reckon Stoke could get themselves a draw. Man City will find it difficult and they could come out with a point."

Gleghorn continued: "I don't think the Italians will play the pressurised football that Stoke City play, and Manchester City are really susceptible to balls coming into the box."

Mancini was appointed as the new Man City boss on Saturday, replacing Mark Hughes who was sacked immediately after their 4-3 victory over Sunderland at Eastlands.

"It was a surprise, it didn't look like anything was going to happen," added Gleghorn.

"After they had beaten Arsenal and Chelsea, it looked as though Mark would get at least until the end of the season.

"Mancini is going to have a difficult job because apparently the players were very unhappy with not only the sacking, but the way it was done. It was very quick and the players were oblivious to it."

Gleghorn spent a year with Manchester City at the end of the 1980s but arguably enjoyed the best spell of his career with Stoke between 1992 and 1996.

He made 208 appearances for the Potters, scoring 31 goals.

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