Eriksson backs Bianchi

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has praised striker Rolando Bianchi after he came off the bench to score their goal in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

The former Reggina forward has only started three games in the Premier League this season after being blighted by injuries.

But now Eriksson hopes that Bianchi's third goal of the season at White Hart Lane is a sign of what is yet to come from the player who cost £8.8million.

Confidence

"It was a very good goal, good delivery from [Martin] Petrov and a great header, but that's Bianchi," Eriksson told the club's website.

"He's there in the right place at the right moment and in the box. He's very physical and strong.

"I speak with him everyday and it's very easy too because we can both speak Italian. It's not been easy for him, but I hope that this goal will help his confidence."

Bianchi netted 18 goals in Serie A last season but Eriksson says it will take time for the 24-year-old to adjust to life in the Premier League.

"The English game is different; a lot of strikers who come here have problems settling in at the beginning.

"The pace is different and the tackling can be as well. I think he played as a lone striker at Reggina though, so he is used to that role."

Bianchi has been linked with a return to Italy during the January transfer window but Eriksson denies that he will leave.

"He seems happy and calm, he has been working very hard, so there have been no indications that he wants to leave or anything like that."