Rodwell: I must be patient

The England midfielder cost City £12million when he signed from Everton but he has made only nine appearances, two of them starts.

Hamstring problems have been the main source of his frustration and he was out for more than three months between October and January.

Since returning to fitness he has made three substitute appearances, including the final half-hour of the FA Cup fifth-round win over Leeds.

The 21-year-old said: "I have been working really hard, keeping up my work and feeling as fit as ever. There is great competition, and I knew that when I joined, so I have to be patient.

"The manager knows how versatile I can be – I can play along the back as well, so I hope that is to my benefit in getting a few more games.

"My main aim now is to stay fit. That has been my main problem for the last year or so, an inability to stay fit and shrug off little injuries. That has held me back and I think, if I can stay fit, the games will come."

Rodwell has left no stone unturned in attempting to solve his hamstring issues, including changing his car, and he is putting in an extra hour and a half's work every day to try to ensure they are a thing of the past.

He said: "You have to rule out everything and then nothing can be a problem. I think it has worked, but it is more to do with the gym work I have been doing. The physios have highlighted that and done a really good job. I have stuck to a six or seven-week programme where I have not had a day off."