Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he's spoken to his Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov as he prepares to return to this country and start the healing process following an operation on his injured knee.

The former Fiorentina striker was injured less than 10 minutes into his full City debut, the 1-0 win over Manchester United, following two impressive substitute appearances in the opening victories.

Eriksson told us: “I’ve spoken to him this week. They took out the stitches on Monday and he is due back here in the next couple of weeks following his operation.

“I think Valeri will do the rest of his recuperation here in Manchester. It’s good for him because then he can prepare every morning together with us and it’ll help his language as well. He can learn and concentrate on that as well.”