£26m James Milner fighting for place in all-star midfield

Getting stuck in: James Milner, in action for England at the World Cup, is under no illusion over the task facing him at Manchester City
Michael Weinstein11 April 2012

James Milner is set to make his first start for Manchester City tonight but believes the extraordinary competition for places at Eastlands means he will be axed if he fails to realise the form that earned him a World Cup call-up.

The midfielder became Roberto Mancini's sixth signing of the summer last week when City and Aston Villa finally thrashed out a £26million deal.

The club's oil-rich backers will be hoping for a quick return on their investment against Liverpool at Eastlands tonight and Milner knows he needs to settle in quickly.

He said: "You need competition at any successful club, because if players are comfortable, whether they play well or not, then performances are going to slip.

"You need players pushing each other every day to step out on that pitch and if you know you are going to be replaced if you don't perform, then that's healthy for the team."

Milner would prefer a role in the centre of midfield but with Gareth Barry, Patrick Vieira, Yaya Toure, Nigel de Jong and Michael Johnson also vying for those positions, he will just be happy with a starting berth.

He said: "Wherever the manager wants me to play, I'll do it to the best of my ability.

"But I enjoy playing in the middle - that's probably my best position and where I've shown by best form over the past 18 months. I've been most creative and scored goals from there and I've enjoyed it immensely.

"I think that's where the boss has signed me to play but if he asks me to play anywhere else I'll do what is best for the team."

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will be without Joe Cole after his marquee signing was sent off against Arsenal on his Reds debut but Mancini knows he will be in for difficult night. "Liverpool are a very strong team," said the Italian. "They did not sell any players from last season.

"I have a lot of respect for them and a lot of respect for Roy Hodgson. It should be a good match."

Midfielder Christian Poulsen could make his Premier League debut and, having featured in last week's Europa League play-off victory over Trabzonspor, is optimistic for the future.

The £4.5m signing from Juventus said: "I think we have to have a strong enough squad to compete with the big teams. We showed against Arsenal [in the opening game] that the team are ready for the Premier League and I hope we can have a win at City. I need to get into the rhythm of the teams here but we have a good squad."

Javier Mascherano is battling to overcome a calf muscle injury and Daniel Agger is doubtful after suffering concussion against Arsenal.

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