Fit-again Manchester City midfielder Vincent Kompany is confident of breaking back into the first team.

The Belgium international has seen Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry form an effective midfield pair in his absence.

But Kompany told the club's website: "I'm looking forward to pushing for a first-team starting place. The competition doesn't bother me. I'm just as much competition to the others. I hope to be in there in the near future.

"I'm not there yet but I'm on my way. I'm starting to feel like I did when I first joined City last season. I feel like I can maybe reach even better levels than I did then.

"I'm happy, but I'm realistic as well. I know I need to be able to perform well consistently."