Joleon Lescott has admitted he may need to leave Manchester City to preserve his England place.

The former Everton man has failed to assert himself at Eastlands, with City boss Roberto Mancini favouring Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure ahead of him.

He has often been deployed in the left-back position when he has played, but Mancini is now favouring Belgian teenager Dedryck Boyata in this role instead.

With the January transfer window set to open in less than a month, Lescott has admitted he may be forced to seek regular first team football elsewhere.

Speaking about his situation, he said: "I'm not happy with the situation. I don't enjoy sitting on the bench, and sometimes not even making the bench."

Fuelling the rumours about a possible move, he stressed: "That's down to myself and the club. The club might say 'If there's a chance to play, go and play' and, if not, I will have to stay here."

Lescott joined City last summer for a fee of £24million.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email