Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson believes they can emerge from a busy December period well-placed in the League and challenging in the Carling Cup.

City face a busy couple of months in the Premier League, and have a Carling Cup quarter final at home to Spurs just before the festive season, but Eriksson is determined to maintain the high standards the Blues have set for themselves so far this season.

Eriksson told City's website: "We have a lot of games coming up, it's an important few weeks for us now with no more international breaks, which is a good thing. If we can keep the team fit and keep doing well then I will be thinking very positively.

"I'll be very happy if we can stay where we are, we now have a home game which I think people may be expecting us to win, but it's going to be difficult like they all are. A lot of players will be back today, and Elano of course on Friday so we'll have to see how they all are, just the same as after every international break," he concludes.