Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson admits he was very close to selling Georgios Samaras in August.

"I will use him as long as he carries on playing like that - because he was very good," said Eriksson after Samaras netted the winner against Norwich in their Carling Cup tie.

"I can't tell you how close Georgios was to leaving but I did sit with him in early August and said if he found a good club we would be willing to discuss it.

"There were clubs in England, Spain and Portugal who were interested. But it was always up to him, and I think he wanted to play in the Premier League.

"At the end of the month he came to me and said he wanted to stay and fight. That is exactly what he has done."