Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is determined to hang onto midfielder Michael Johnson.

The Manchester Evening News says with midfielders thin on the ground at City, Hughes may be loathe to sell Johnson who is known to have been miffed with the lack of recent progress over a pay increase that would bring him more into line with other young stars like Micah Richards.

The City chief has made it clear that he would make outstanding contract issues regarding the likes of Johnson, Joe Hart and Richard Dunne one of his first priorities.