The space in front of the two CBs has to be patrolled and dealt with better than it has been in the absence of Lucas. The only one who truly has the skill-set and cultivated football brain to do it effectively now is Steven Gerrard. Nothing against Spearing whom I've grown to appreciate quite a bit and have gone to extreme lengths to defend but he is really not a full Lucas substitute when it comes to the shielding/defensive side of the most withdrawn central midfielder.
I very much enjoyed Jonjo Shelvey's performance vs Oldham and would not be perplexed if he were to be given another chance vs City, although I very much doubt it. With Gerrard on the pitch, I would go with Henderson along with Spearing 'behind' Stevie in a 3-man midfield.
Unlike many others, I did not see Kuyt as having a bad game vs Oldham. The one thing that Kuyt does well when deployed as a proper striker is that he moves very well and pressurizes/defends from the front extremely well. Carroll will probably get the nod to anchor our attacking three, but it may be too soon after Friday for Bellamy to get another start.
We shall see. The regular back five will probably start again, and by rights they should, although Kelly performed well enough to warrant possible inclusion.