SWP determined to earn new City deal

By foxsports
Published

England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has vowed to fight for his place and earn a new contract at Manchester City.

The former Chelsea man is hoping to be handed a regular spot at City and secure his Eastlands future beyond 2012.

Wright-Phillips, who celebrates his 29th birthday later this month, has started just two of City's 12 games this season.

Roberto Mancini has preferred to use David Silva, James Milner and Adam Johnson in the wide attacking roles and Wright-Phillips has admitted that the Italian boss has given him no assurances about his future.

"No, he hasn't really," he told the Manchester Evening News. "But the important thing at the minute is to do as well as we can in the league.

"When they think the time is right, I'll look at it. I would like to stay for the long term.

"Obviously nothing's been sorted out yet but it hasn't stopped me from working hard and being happy.

"The main thing is I'm enjoying my time here and that's all I'm concentrating on."

The Academy graduate's current deal, signed when he rejoined City from Chelsea for £9million in August 2008, has just under two years to run.

But he is eager to avoid a repeat of the contract controversy his dad, the former Arsenal striker, caused in a radio interview in March.

Ian Wright claimed that the Blues were "mugging off" his son and "treating him like a youth-team player" after they offered to up the winger's wages from £60,000 to £70,000 a week.

That offer was rejected by Wright-Phillips, and City are in no rush to reopen negotiations.

The summer signings of Silva and Milner, and the fine form of Johnson, have left Wright-Phillips facing the prospect of being a fringe player this season so the winger must show he is worth both a regular role and a new deal.

"I've been training well. I've been working hard and it's just a matter of being patient," he added. "The new signings are in and they deserve a chance and I'm prepared to fight for it.

"I have one year left on my contract after this season. If they want me, I'm here to stay. If not, I'm concentrating on what I have to do for the club now."