Jones seeks truth over Fowler fitness

The former Liverpool striker's last outing came back in December but Jones revealed he could still make the bench for what will be City's first FA Cup final since 1927 against Portsmouth at Wembley after recovering from a hip problem.

"We have to make sure that everything about him is right. The only person that will give me that knowledge is Robbie himself," he said. "Robbie has been around football long enough to be honest and truthful and say, 'look, yes I am fine' and at the moment that's what he's saying and in training he looks fine."

He added: "But he has to be honest with me and say, 'look, there's no niggles, there's nothing' because I don't want to lose him for another three or four months just for the sake of one game - I know it's the biggest game, but for one game.

"It's important that he is right for that game as much as he will be for the rest of his playing career."

Jones insisted there was no reason his squad should be fazed by the occasion on Saturday and refuted suggestions his side might rely on the experience of Fowler and fellow seasoned campaigners Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Trevor Sinclair.

"Even someone like Joe Ledley at 21 years of age has played against Brazil, he's played in big games himself for the national team. That experience will help him," Jones said.

"And then Gavin Rae and Kevin McNaughton are Scottish internationals, Stephen McPhail has played in a European Cup semi-final.

"So even though Jimmy, Robbie and Trevor bring that experience with them, we also have some younger elements in the squad that have also had good experience in the years that they have been playing.

"Hopefully it will relax everybody and, at the moment, I am not seeing any nerves. Everyone is up for it."