Wanchope puts City first

Manchester City’s Costa Rican striker Paulo Wanchope has decided to put his international career on the back burner.

Wanchope is back in the fold with the club after missing last season with knee and shoulder problems.

He said: “I need to focus on City more than ever as I want to repay all the support they have given me during those bad times.

“I need to give them some goals and to pay them back for helping me through a frustrating period.”

Meanwhile midfielder Joey Barton says the team is still on a learning curve.

Manager Kevin Keegan drafted in a number of new players in the summer and they have yet to record back to back victories in the Premiership.

Barton said: “Everyone forgets we are still learning as a team and sometimes we have not fired all cylinders.

“But it is vital we get some momentum back into our season. We have got to start finding some more consistency.”