David Silva calls for players to rally in Kompany's absence
Winger says team need to respond without skipper.
David Silva believes Manchester City have the resilience to overcome the absence of captain Vincent Kompany.
City's title challenge has been hindered by the lack of appearances from the influential skipper, who is side-lined with a recurrent calf injury.
Kompany has featured in just nine of City's 20 Barclays Premier League games but they have only conceded once while he has been on the field. In contrast, they have kept only one clean sheet in the 11 games he has missed.
City are still unsure when the 29-year-old will return, and Silva knows others will need to step up if they are to secure a third Premier League title in 5 years.
The Spaniard, who turned 30 last week, said: “Vinny is a key player for us and our captain. With or without him in the side we have to work hard to concede less, but it's not just the defence that defends, it's the whole team.
It's the same when we're attacking - you need to have everyone helping out going forwards. So it's down to us all to perform our defensive duties and it's something we'll be trying to do to help the cause.”
City, who are third in the table but just three points behind leaders Arsenal,
host Everton on Wednesday in what could prove a pivotal night in the title race.
Arsenal face a difficult trip to Liverpool while second-placed Leicester travel to fourth-placed Tottenham.
Silva added: “It's been a very exciting season and, above all, it's very tight at the top. It's going to be a close-run right through until the end of the season. Each game is tough, it always is, but somehow this year it's even tougher, especially away from home.
Every team is finding tough encounters on the road and I think you can lose at any moment when you least expect it. It's about being competitive until the end of the season and being in the fight until the end.''
Manager Manuel Pellegrini recognises the importance of the fixture as he looks to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal, but warns it’s just one of many.
The Chilean said: “It's important to try to reduce the gap as soon as we can with the two leaders but we are not going to win the title in January. I think it's important to be solid and a consistent team from now until the end of the season
“There are so many examples of teams that had the title in their hands in April, but they lose important points and after that they don't win the title. so it's important first to reduce the points that we are behind them and after
that try to continue in all the competitions and try to be a solid and consistent team.''
Kompany, is undergoing thorough analysis as City try to get to the bottom of his recurring calf problems and is likely to be out at least another month yet.
“I don't think that he will be ready before a month.'' Pellegrini cautioned.