Adam Johnson is anxious to start for Manchester City on Sunday against his boyhood idols Newcastle.
Johnson, a £7million signing from Middlesbrough in January, scored in the 1-1 draw against Juventus in the Europa League in midweek and is eyeing more game time as the focus switches back to the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "I was at Newcastle when I was a kid from 10-12 before I went to Middlesbrough.
"So I grew up supporting Newcastle and David Ginola and players like that. It's fantastic to playing against north-east teams.
"These are the type of games I want to be playing in."
Johnson's team-mate Jerome Boateng is ready to make his first start in the Premier League after a knee problem.
Boateng, 21, who arrived from Hamburg over the summer, proved his fitness in the draw with Juventus and is keen to feature against the Magpies.
He said: "I would like to play on Sunday. It is going to be a hard game. I am happy I am now 100% and can play.
"It is important I get some games and help the team after coming to a new club and getting injured."
City go into the match in buoyant mood after beating champions Chelsea last weekend.
But Boateng believes they need to start beating teams with a lower profile if they are to be taken seriously.
He added: "We can have success if we play like we did against Chelsea. You do not have to tell the players about Chelsea.
"But if you want to be the best you have to beat other smaller teams. I hope I play a lot and we have success. Title challengers? I think so."
Pablo Zabaleta will miss the match after suffering a hamstring strain, which will mean a recall for either Dedryck Boyata or Joleon Lescott.
Meanwhile, City have swept past Manchester United in the pay league for players, the club's annual report revealed yesterday.
The figures also show details of City's astonishing spending spree on players and salaries which have led to record losses of £121.3million.
Although City's turnover increased by 40% to £125m, this has been swamped by total salary costs of £133.3m, a £50m rise on a year ago.
That puts City - bankrolled by Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour - ahead of United, whose wage bill is £123m, and Arsenal (£110m) and closing in fast on Chelsea (£142m).
City chief executive Garry Cook said the losses "should come as no surprise" but that the club would now scale back on new signings.
He said: "It is safe to say that player acquisitions on the scale we have seen in recent transfer windows will no longer be required in the years ahead now that we have such a deep and competitive squad.
"In 2009-10, we narrowly fell short of our goals on the pitch, but still achieved nine club records including our best ever result in the Premier League."
Johnson, a £7million signing from Middlesbrough in January, scored in the 1-1 draw against Juventus in the Europa League in midweek and is eyeing more game time as the focus switches back to the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "I was at Newcastle when I was a kid from 10-12 before I went to Middlesbrough.
"So I grew up supporting Newcastle and David Ginola and players like that. It's fantastic to playing against north-east teams.
"These are the type of games I want to be playing in."
Johnson's team-mate Jerome Boateng is ready to make his first start in the Premier League after a knee problem.
Boateng, 21, who arrived from Hamburg over the summer, proved his fitness in the draw with Juventus and is keen to feature against the Magpies.
He said: "I would like to play on Sunday. It is going to be a hard game. I am happy I am now 100% and can play.
"It is important I get some games and help the team after coming to a new club and getting injured."
City go into the match in buoyant mood after beating champions Chelsea last weekend.
But Boateng believes they need to start beating teams with a lower profile if they are to be taken seriously.
He added: "We can have success if we play like we did against Chelsea. You do not have to tell the players about Chelsea.
"But if you want to be the best you have to beat other smaller teams. I hope I play a lot and we have success. Title challengers? I think so."
Pablo Zabaleta will miss the match after suffering a hamstring strain, which will mean a recall for either Dedryck Boyata or Joleon Lescott.
Meanwhile, City have swept past Manchester United in the pay league for players, the club's annual report revealed yesterday.
The figures also show details of City's astonishing spending spree on players and salaries which have led to record losses of £121.3million.
Although City's turnover increased by 40% to £125m, this has been swamped by total salary costs of £133.3m, a £50m rise on a year ago.
That puts City - bankrolled by Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour - ahead of United, whose wage bill is £123m, and Arsenal (£110m) and closing in fast on Chelsea (£142m).
City chief executive Garry Cook said the losses "should come as no surprise" but that the club would now scale back on new signings.
He said: "It is safe to say that player acquisitions on the scale we have seen in recent transfer windows will no longer be required in the years ahead now that we have such a deep and competitive squad.
"In 2009-10, we narrowly fell short of our goals on the pitch, but still achieved nine club records including our best ever result in the Premier League."
ADAM JOHNSON KEEN TO FACE MAGPIES
![ADAM JOHNSON KEEN TO FACE MAGPIES]()
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