Thaksin confirms City funds

Man City's owner Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed he will be releasing more funds for Sven-Goran Eriksson to spend in January. Man City's storming start to the season has largely been attributed to wise signings such as Petrov, Elano and Corluka by the Swedish boss, and Shinawatra is intending to add to the £40m he has already spent.

"There will not be many new faces like there were in the summer but possibly, there will be a few," he told the Manchester Evening News. "There is no doubt that I trust Sven to spend my money well and it is our duty to find it. His track record has been brilliant so far."

He added: "There were those who questioned us when we appointed Sven as manager but they are not doing so now. So far, he has proved to be a perfect choice."

Shinawatra has also confirmed he is delighted with the team's progress: "We set out with a three-year plan and though people will say we are ahead of that plan we have only played 10 games so far," he said.

"But we have started very well and we seem to be winning the disillusioned fans back."