Onuoha backs Man City youngsters

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha does not feel the influx of foreign players at Eastlands has affected the chances of the club's younger players.

New City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has signed eight overseas players since taking charge at the club in July.

Onuoha told Radio 5live: "Sometimes when you get change you can lose sight of things that were there before.

"But for me some of the younger players who were here last season are the ones who've been outstanding for us so far.

Like Micah Richards, Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson, Onuoha is a product of City's successful academy.

Onuoha's only start for his club in three appearances this season came in the Carling Cup win over Bristol City but he is pleased to see the club doing well and is confident his chance will come.

"For me personally I've been at the club for so long and it is good to see something positive happening in terms of new ownership, new players and a new mindset," he added.

"It's good but at the same time you know you will have to fight even harder for your place because the manager is bringing in players who are top quality from all over Europe.

"It's good to see the club progressing but you also know you have to knuckle down."

Onuoha found the net as England Under-21 got their Euro 2009 qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Montenegro on Friday under the guidance of former City boss Stuart Pearce.

A lot has changed at Eastlands since Pearce left in May and Onuoha - who, like Richards can play at centre-back or right-back - feels he can learn from the players Eriksson has brought in.

"I'd say so, because someone from Italy has got a different sort of mentality to the way they go about their training to someone from Spain," Onuoha explaied.

"Javier Garrido is quite laid back whereas some of the Italians are always in the gym before a training session just working on little things.

"It is good to see, and you find your middle ground in between both approaches."