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<a class="postlink" href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-City-boss-Roberto-Mancini-warns-Eastlands-big-names-their-places-are-under-threat-article356305.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ma ... 56305.html</a>
Roberto Mancini has warned established duo Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips they are under threat from rising star Adam Johnson.
Johnson came off the bench to score a majestic 90th minute equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland, which salvaged Manchester City a vital point in the race for fourth spot.
And with Wright-Phillips in the middle of a contract dispute with City and Bellamy frequently missing through injury, Mancini backed Johnson to seize his chance to shine.
Mancini said: "Adam knows he has a battle on his hands to start in our team because I have two very experienced, very good players competing with him in Bellamy and Wright-Phillips.
"As a manager, it's a good problem to have because all three players know they will have to be at the top of their game to win selection.
"I thought Bellamy and Wright-Phillips did well [against Sunderland], but Johnson changed the game for us. I was very happy with his contribution and I think there's much more to come from him."
City have nine games left this season and with six of them at home, Joleon Lescott said Mancini's men were in pole position to clinch fourth spot.
"Home form will be hugely important," said Lescott. "We can't take anything for granted but we've been good at home this season.
"We feel we lost two points at Sunderland because we missed so many chances to score in the second-half but we still feel we're in the driving seat in the race for fourth."
Roberto Mancini has warned established duo Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips they are under threat from rising star Adam Johnson.
Johnson came off the bench to score a majestic 90th minute equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland, which salvaged Manchester City a vital point in the race for fourth spot.
And with Wright-Phillips in the middle of a contract dispute with City and Bellamy frequently missing through injury, Mancini backed Johnson to seize his chance to shine.
Mancini said: "Adam knows he has a battle on his hands to start in our team because I have two very experienced, very good players competing with him in Bellamy and Wright-Phillips.
"As a manager, it's a good problem to have because all three players know they will have to be at the top of their game to win selection.
"I thought Bellamy and Wright-Phillips did well [against Sunderland], but Johnson changed the game for us. I was very happy with his contribution and I think there's much more to come from him."
City have nine games left this season and with six of them at home, Joleon Lescott said Mancini's men were in pole position to clinch fourth spot.
"Home form will be hugely important," said Lescott. "We can't take anything for granted but we've been good at home this season.
"We feel we lost two points at Sunderland because we missed so many chances to score in the second-half but we still feel we're in the driving seat in the race for fourth."
