Kasper Schmeichel is confident of winning his place back at Manchester City.

"I came back this summer not knowing what was going to happen. Obviously Nick and Andreas had played last season and Joe had made his debut but there was a new manager and new owner," Schmeichel told City Magazine.

"Nick then left and I was lucky that Andreas - unluckily for him especially after what happened to him last season - suffered an injury. I still had my contract here and it was all about waiting to see what happened. It had crossed my mind that I might have to go out on loan again.

"We got the best possible manager we could have got. I respect him deeply. Pre-season went well in Sweden and I felt I was progressing. Under Stuart Pearce it was Joe who got the nod over me but this time I was given the chance and so far I have taken it. Luck does play a big part in these things.

"As for getting back in the side, all I can do is work hard, train as well as I can and then perform to the best of my ability when it comes to matches."

Schmeichel was as pleased as anyone that Joe Hart and the rest of the team hammered Newcastle on Saturday and offered a glimpse of the kind of spirit that currently exists in the City dressing room.

"Of course there is rivalry between the keepers but Joe is probably my best mate at the club if not in general and a brilliant goalkeeper," he added.

"We always help each other when we can and when he pulls off a great save I am the first to acknowledge that. I suppose that's something peculiar to goalkeepers. People talk about the `union' and there is a special understanding between us because we are always the first to get blamed when something goes wrong."