ASSISTANT manager Alan Murray knows Manchester City will be determined to bounce back from their Carling Cup exit at the hands of Doncaster Rovers when they come to Gallowgate on Sunday.

Stuart Pearce's side crashed out of the Carling Cup on penalties at Belle Vue on Wednesday night, just days after losing a game they dominated at home to Bolton.

But Graeme Souness' right hand man knows that they will be looking to get back on track on Saturday and get back to winning ways after a brioght start to the campaign.

He told nufc.co.uk: "Don't read too much into the defeat at Doncaster.

"They'll have been disappointed to go out of the Carling Cup, of course, but it will just act as a little wake up call for them.

"I watched most of the game, and they had plenty of chances to win the game before it went into extra time. They didn't take advantage of those chances, though, and once it goes to penalties anything can happen."

Murray added: "They've started well in the league, and we know they will be a threat. Andy Cole could be fit for them and he is a threat, as is Darius Vassell.

"They are strong up front, and they also have a strong pairing at the back as well so it will be tough for us."

While City are looking to recover from back-to-back defeats, Murray says confidence is high in the Magpies' camp following the 3-0 win at Blackburn last weekend.

"That result got us off the mark, and we have to build on that now.

"We weren't too bothered about the performance, we just needed the win. Once we scored the first goal there was a visible improvement throughout the team.

"Hopefully we can carry that into Saturday's game and get a little run together to start moving up the table."