Defender Joleon Lescott believes Owen Hargreaves will bring valuable experience to the squad if he signs at Man City.
Stopper believes City can bring best out of Hargreaves
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes Owen Hargreaves will bring valuable experience to the squad if he signs at the Ethiad Stadium.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Hargreaves is on the brink of joining City on a free transfer after departing fierce local rivals Manchester United at the end of last season when his contract expired.
The midfielder's United career was plagued by injury, with the former England international making just 39 appearances over four years at Old Trafford.
But Lescott believes Hargreaves, who underwent a three-hour medical at Bridgewater hospital on Tuesday, would be a worthy addition to Roberto Mancini's squad if he can put his fitness woes behind him.
Experience
"It would certainly be good for the squad," Lescott told
Sky Sports News. "He's experienced the Champions League, international (football).
"He's a great professional so it can only be good for the club.
"The club know what they're doing and Owen knows what he's doing. He's still a good player.
"Obviously he hasn't played as much as he'd like over the last couple of seasons. But if we can get him fit I'm sure it won't be long before he's back to his best."
If Hargreaves does arrive at City he will face tough competition for a spot in Mancini's star-studded first-team, with a host of midfield options at the Italian manager's disposal.
Lescott believes battling for a regular place is part and parcel of playing at a top Premier League club and insists there is never any hard feelings between players.
"The manager has made it clear he's going to need the whole 24/25 man squad that we've got at City," he said. "We understand that now.
"We all believe we can challenge each other in a professional way. There's no egos there, there's no bitterness if you're not involved. It's all professional."
Confidence
Six City players, including Lescott, have been included in Fabio Capello's England squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers, although the defender was withdrawn from training as a precautionary measure on Tuesday due to an ankle injury.
Mancini's side have won their three opening games of the Premier League season and Lescott believes the positive start will spur on City's England contingent for Friday's clash with Bulgaria and next Tuesday's home visit of Wales.
He added: "We might have more confidence than usual with the way the season has started - three wins from three games and a few positive performances. Things are going well."
