Sat, Feb 11 2012

Hughes: Martin Petrov has role in Manchester City revolution

Wed, Sep 23 2009 17:33 CET

byNick Iliev

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Hughes: Martin Petrov has role in Manchester City revolution

Photo: Oleg Popov

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has said that Bulgarian international and City striker Martin Petrov still has a prominent role to play at the club, regardless of him being relegated to secondary choice at the Eastlands since the beginning of the season.

With the arrival of the high-profile players during City's shopping spree in the summer, Petrov himself expected to leave the club, with White Hart Lane thought to be his likeliest destination.

"I don't see City depending too much on me this year, at least from what I have seen from the pre-season friendlies so far. No footballer is content with polishing the bench and I am no exception," Petrov said in August.

Media reports suggested that Spurs tabled a 3.5 million pounds sterling bid to sign the City winger. The Londoners had made attempts to sign the Bulgarian in the past, but their last bid in 2007 was trumped by City, who reportedly offered Petrov a higher salary.

But with the transfer window long-closed, Hughes said that he did not want to sell the Bulgarian, who still had a role at the club. "Martin is a big part of what we are trying to do," Hughes said, quoted by Sky Sports on September 22 2009.

"He has not been a negative influence in any way and I know if I pick him from the start he will make a positive contribution."

"Martin is not starting games because I am playing a different formation that lends itself to Craig Bellamy playing on the left and he has been absolutely outstanding," he said.

"That has made it difficult for Martin to get back into the team. He understands that. But he also knows I will use different personnel against certain opposition and he can make an impact."

Petrov could earn his first start for Manchester City on September 23 when the Citizens entertain Fulham in the Carling Cup.

Petrov joined the English club from Atletico Madrid in 2007 and has only recently recovered from the cruciate ligament injury that kept him out of the team most of last season.

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