Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had nothing but praise for former City winger Adam Johnson ahead of his return to the Etihad for today’s lunchtime kick off.

Johnson left City in the summer after finding himself unable to hold down a regular starting spot under Mancini, but the City boss knows the threat that the winger can cause his team.

“I think Adam played well here,” Mancini told The Sun.

“The problem was maybe that he didn’t play always. For young players like him it is important to play every game.

“I am sure he will do well for Sunderland and go to another top team because he deserves this. He is a good guy and a good player.

“I hope he can have a good game on Saturday because I like Adam, I think he is a really good player.

“He wanted to play every game and here it was difficult, he decided to leave.”

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