Richard Dunne, the Manchester City captain, is to be rewarded for his fine form so far this season by being offered a new improved contract. Dunne, the Ireland centre back, still has two years to run on his current deal, but Sven-Goran Eriksson, the manager, believes he is due a pay rise: “I hope Richard Dunne will sign a new contract for us very soon,” said Eriksson. “He is our captain and a very good one at that. He is very important for us. He is like a big brother for some of the younger players.”

Eriksson, the former England manager, admitted he did not rate the former Everton player when he first saw him a few years ago. Dunne, now 28, has reinvented himself as a player, however, after disciplinary and fitness problems marred his early years as a professional and is now a figurehead for Manchester City.

“When I first saw him four or five years ago I was not that impressed,” said Eriksson. “Looking at him recently, he has been fantastic. Today, he is one of the best in the country in his position.”

Eriksson was speaking after watching his talented youth team defeat Millwall 5-1 in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Hyde United’s Ground. Coming from an academy that in recent years has produced the likes of Micah Richards and Nedum Onouha, the defenders, Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson, the midfielders, and Daniel Sturridge, the striker, it appears there will soon by more bright prospects breaking into the first team.

“It was a marvellous victory, and they played very good football,” said Eriksson. “The academy is working very well here There are players in that team who will train here (at Carrington) soon and then progress to the first team. The quality we have is very good.”

Of more immediate concern to Eriksson is Saturday's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers. Elano may return after a hamstring injury. Dietmar Hamann, returns after suspension, but Stephen Ireland sits out the first game of his three-match ban received for his red card at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.