Determined City eye a window of opportunity

Joleon Lescott insists Manchester City will take nothing for granted at West Ham tomorrow.

City have consolidated their position in the top four of the Barclays Premier League by recording successive wins over Fulham and Bolton and the Blues are now aiming to make the most of high–profile clashes involving Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea over the next three weekends.

City know if they keep their present run going, they will not be far off the Premier League summit by New Year's Day.

On the face of it, West Ham should not represent too much of a challenge given their woeful form this term.

But Lescott only needs to remind himself that the Hammers did dump Manchester United out of the Carling Cup earlier this month and that City have lost at fellow basement dwellers Wolves this season to realise nothing is for certain this season.

Though the Wolves game – and home draws with Blackburn and Birmingham – suggests otherwise, Lescott believes City are a more durable outfit this term, which makes them more likely to resist the barrage which awaits them at Upton Park.

"We have kept a lot more clean sheets and we are a lot harder to beat so I don't think West Ham will be looking forward to us going there," he said.

Barely a week after lamenting his lack of opportunities at Eastlands this season, Lescott could be set for a run in the side.

Kolo Toure suffered a calf injury against Bolton last weekend, and may be out.