Man City players given New Year's Eve bedtime deadline

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says his players are free to celebrate the New Year - but not for too long!

City take on Watford in the Premier League on Saturday evening as they look for their first away win since September 12, and while Pellegrini wants his players to enjoy themselves, he still wants them in bed at a reasonable hour.

"No, not before midnight," he said when asked about the players' bed times, before adding with a smile: "All of them must celebrate New Year’s Eve but I think they can do it early – maximum one o’clock."

City have struggled on the road this season and face the prospect of three consecutive away games in three different competitions before welcoming Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium on January 13.

Watford are first up at Vicarage Road on Saturday before the Blues meet Everton at Goodison Park in the first leg of the League Cup semi final next Wednesday.

Norwich City lay in wait the following Saturday as City kick off their FA Cup campaign, and Pellegrini clearly wants his players to be fully focused as they head into 2016.