Shaun Wright-Phillips wants to stay at Manchester City
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Your support makes all the difference.Shaun Wright-Phillips insists he still has a future at Manchester City.
The England midfielder recently bemoaned his lack of first-team appearances, which was taken as confirmation the 29-year-old would be moving on to pastures new this summer.
However, it appears that is not certain to be the case.
With Adam Johnson ruled out for three months with an ankle injury, Wright-Phillips has suddenly come back into the picture.
A late cameo in last night's Europa League win over Aris Salonika was the winger's third outing in a month, and with injuries continuing to badly affect Roberto Mancini's squad, Wright-Phillips' services are likely to be required over the coming weeks.
And if he feels he can play a part for the Blues in the seasons ahead, Wright-Phillips would love to stay.
"Football works in mysterious ways," said Wright-Phillips, who joined City as a schoolboy and has been there since apart from three difficult years at Chelsea.
"If I am wanted here I will stay. I never wanted to leave in the first place. I still see a bright future for me here. It is just about getting chances.
"I have played a few games recently and now I just want to keep doing well."
Wright-Phillips will get a chance to meet up with an old friend thanks to City's progress in Europe.
He shared a Stamford Bridge dressing room with Andriy Shevchenko and understands the difficulties the former world player of the year experienced at Chelsea.
Now back at Dynamo Kiev, Shevchenko will be on the opposing side when City head to the Ukraine for the first leg of their last-16 clash on March 10.
And, for all the problems Shevchenko experienced at Chelsea, Wright-Phillips realises the Blues will have to subdue a class act.
"Criticism is part of football," he said. "Everybody gets it at some point. I have had it, most players do.
"But he is a fantastic talent and playing in the same team as him was an enjoyable experience."
After coming through FA Cup and European tests in the past week, City turn their attentions back to Premier League matters on Sunday when Fulham head to Eastlands.
Victory would keep the Blues just about on the coat-tails of Manchester United and Arsenal, although it seems fairly obvious their best chance of ending a 35-year silverware drought is in one of the two remaining cup competitions.
And that would be a special event indeed for Wright-Phillips.
"Silverware would mean more to me," he said. "Obviously because of my background, it would be nice to win something for this club."
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