Milner ready for Manchester City debut

Monday 23 August 2010 11:15 BST
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James Milner is set to make his Manchester City debut against Liverpool, claiming he will play anywhere to suit manager Roberto Mancini.

However the England international has made no secret he would prefer a role in the centre of midfield. Milner is Mancini's sixth summer signing after his protracted move from Aston Villa was sealed last week.

He said: "Wherever the manager wants me to play, I'll do it to the best of my ability. But I enjoy playing in the middle - that's probably my best position and where I've shown by best form over the past 18 months. I've been most creative and scored goals from there and I've enjoyed it immensely."

He added: "I think that's where the boss has signed me to play, but if he asks me to play anywhere else I'll do what is best for the team.

"As long as we're winning football matches, that's all that counts."

Milner is up for the challenge at City, who have splashed out in the hope of reaching the Champions League.

"You need competition at any successful club, because if players are comfortable, whether they play well or not then performances are going to slip, " he added on www.mcfc.co.uk.

"You need players pushing each other every day to step out on that pitch, and if you know you are going to be replaced if you don't perform, then that's healthy for the team."

While City have rebuilt their squad at vast expense, Liverpool have made only one high-profile signing in England midfielder Joe Cole, but more significantly for Mancini, new manager Roy Hodgson has kept hold of his best players.

Steven Gerrard has said he is happy to carry on and help Liverpool try and improve on a disappointing seventh place in the Barclays Premier League last season. Spain striker Fernando Torres, with a World Cup-winner's medal in his pocket, is also up for the fight.

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