John Carver has backed his Newcastle United team to combat the threat of Wilfried Bony in Saturday's visit to Manchester City.

The Ivorian is expected to make his debut at the Etihad tomorrow following a £28m January switch from Swansea City.

Nevertheless, Carver is confident that the Magpies, and in particular Mike Williamson, will keep the hitman quiet at the Etihad.

"I'm sure Bony will be raring to go if he does make his debut," he told the club's official website. "Every time we've come up against him when he was at Swansea he's been a handful. We'll just have to deal with him.

"Our defenders lately have defended quite well - they've been strong and we haven't conceded too many goals.

"Mike Williamson likes the type of player that Bony is so that could prove a good competition between the two."

Bony netted 34 times in 70 appearances for Swansea.