Man City V Newcastle at Etihad Stadium : Match Preview

19 November 2011 12:39
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini wants Adam Johnson to concentrate on becoming an even better player after handing the winger a new contract.

City have announced the England international Johnson has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium. Mancini recently admitted he had been harsh in his criticism of some of the 24-year-old's recent performances but only because he believes he has the ability to become a world-class performer.

Now the former Middlesbrough prodigy, signed in a £7million deal almost two years ago, is committed until the summer of 2016, Mancini expects him to fulfil his potential.

The Italian said: "Adam is a good player for me. I think he can improve a lot, though. "After signing a new contract we have time to talk regarding this. "I am sure (he is going to get better)." Johnson, who has started just six games in City's star-studded side this season, agrees there is room for improvement and wants to stay to prove himself.

There had been speculation suggesting his future might lie elsewhere but Johnson is excited by the challenge at City, who currently top the Barclays Premier League and are competing in the Champions League.

Johnson told the club's website: "I wouldn't have signed if I didn't see a big future here. "This club's going places and I want to be up there with them at one of the top clubs in Europe. "This is such an exciting time to be at the club." News of Johnson's contract came at the same time it was confirmed that Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta had also signed a new deal.

The 26-year-old has not been a regular starter as Mancini has rotated his full-backs but his versatility has made him an important member of the squad. Zabaleta, who would have been out of contract next year, said: "I didn't think twice, I gave a quick answer because I was so happy to sign."

Midfielder Nigel De Jong could come up against Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa as City return to Premier League action after the international break on Saturday. Ben Arfa broke his leg in two places in a tackle from De Jong when the sides met in October last year.

It has emerged this week that Frenchman Ben Arfa, who was sidelined for 11 months, is to accept an apology from De Jong and Mancini is pleased the players can bring the matter to rest. Mancini said:

"This situation can happen in a game. "It is important that Ben Arfa has come back without problem and can play, for me he is a good player. This is important." The match at the Etihad Stadium brings together the last two unbeaten teams in the competition and the most prolific attack against the meanest defence. City have scored a remarkable 39 goals in 11 games in the process of opening up a five-point lead at the top while third-placed Newcastle have conceded just eight times.

Mancini said: "I think their confidence is 100%, they play very well. "In this moment they are a strong team and they have conceded few goals. "My memory of last year at home against Newcastle - we had a big problem. "From last year, they have improved a lot. It will be a tough game for us." Steven Taylor is relishing the chance to prove Newcastle's critics wrong as they prepare for an acid test of their Premier League credentials.

The Magpies sit in third place in the table after an unbeaten 11-game start to the new campaign which has surprised almost everyone but themselves. However, their next three fixtures see them travel to leaders City and reigning champions Manchester United in successive weekends before fourth-placed Chelsea arrive on Tyneside in a run of games which will test their new-found confidence to the extreme.

Central defender Taylor said: "We are testing ourselves against the best teams in the league, the best players in the world, but this is why you want to be a professional footballer, to be playing on the biggest stage against the best players.

"I keep reading, 'they haven't played anybody that's going to test them'. "Well, this is our chance and hopefully we can prove it." Newcastle will be without Cheik Tiote and Sylvain Marveaux through injury, while Leon Best and Gabriel Obertan remain doubtful.

Man City V Newcastle - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

Source: DSG