Manchester City academy chief Jim Cassell is backing teenage striker Kelvin Etuhu to bounce back from his knee injury last season.

Etuhu picked up the unfortunate injury away at Walsall back in February, whilst on loan at Rochdale which cut short a successful loan spell at the Spotland club, where he had scored two goals in three starts.

"The 2007/08 season is going to be a massive one for Kelvin and I've got tremendous faith in him," Cassell told City's website.

"I would love him to do well because he's a front player, he's got pace, and nobody knows quite yet how he's going to come back after his injury, but we all know that he'll get the terrific medical support that's available now."

He added: "We're hoping he comes back flying and hits the ground running, as they say, in the pre-season and who knows - he could be challenging for a place."