The talented winger is now more determined than ever to force his way into Roberto Mancini’s early season plans and win back his place in the national team by proving what an asset he can be in pre-season.
“It was pretty hard watching from the side-lines because obviously you want to be out there, helping the lads,” he said. “It’s tough, but you have to keep plugging away and just give your all. We won the title which was the main thing, but obviously you want to feel you’ve played your part, too.
“Things can change pretty quickly in football and this is a new season and we all start with a clean slate once again. What I need to do is respond, try even harder and react positively.
“On a personal level, it was a disappointing end to the season for me because I wasn’t playing for City and then I missed out on Euro 2012 which hurt me a lot, but the key is to bounce back and not dwell on things.
“I love everything about this club – the lads, the people around it and the supporters have always been brilliant towards me. I’m settled where I live so I just need to get out there and play – as a footballer, that’s all I want to do.”
Missing out on Euro 2012 was a bitter blow for the 23-year-old who felt he’d done enough to earn selection for England – but he was surprisingly omitted from the final squad.
“I’ll be quite honest and say I really think I should have been selected because I played five times in the qualifiers and scored two goals so I thought I’d proved my worth,” he said.
“When I played for City last season I scored a few goals and made a few as well so it took me a while to accept not being able to represent my county at a major championship because the same thing happened at the World Cup two years ago.
“To be fair, Roy Hodgson has been brilliant with me and phoned me to say that he still wanted me to come to Norway and train before the Euros began. As far as I’m concerned, I start my bid for the 2014 World Cup from now.”
‘Manchester City FC Summer Tour 2012 is presented by Abu Dhabi Travellers Welcome’
