New Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is keen to hold onto midfielder Michael Johnson, despite claims of attitude problems.

The Daily Mail says such has been the apparent change in Johnson's attitude since he broke into the City first team at the start of last season that there was a feeling under Eriksson that he would happily be sold if the club received a bid of more than £10million from suitors such as Liverpool and Everton.

But Hughes will give all his players an opportunity to prove themselves and has already decided that he will try to bring Johnson into line. Talented and versatile, Johnson made a terrific impression on City's midfield at the start of last season and Eriksson immediately tipped him for full international honours in the future.

But it is understood that the praise soon went to Johnson's head and many people at City were beginning to tire of him by the time the season drew to its unsatisfactory conclusion.