Barry raring to link up with Silva

Barry has been out for four months with a hernia problem which forced him to miss Euro 2012, but he - along with Silva - was a key component of City's Barclays Premier League victory.

He is edging closer to a first-team return and re-establishing his on-field relationship with the Spain international. Barry said: "Last year was fantastic and when you play alongside people like David Silva you get to know his game and where he likes to receive the ball."

He continued: "Playing with players like that can make your job so much easier, so you can bounce off other players sometimes and it can be good for you and them."

There is added competition in midfield this season as manager Roberto Mancini brought in Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia.

"Javi and Jack already seem to be settling in well," Barry told mcfc.co.uk. "I know Jack better because he's an English guy and been playing in the Premier League for a few years and he's a great addition to the squad.

"I think he's done really well in the first few games he's played and he seems to have bedded in nicely.

"I'm sure that the longer he's here and the more games he plays, he'll get better and better.

"I don't know that much about Javi just yet but I have done a bit of individual training with him.

"He seems like a really good player and I'm sure he'll adapt to the English game quickly."

Source: PA

Source: PA