Iheanacho hoping for run in Manchester City first team

Kelechi Iheanacho insists he is ready to make a impact at Manchester City and hopes to get more of a chance at the Etihad Stadium.

The 19-year-old Nigerian striker made a big impression on his first start for the club with a goal and two assists in a 5-1 Capital One Cup thrashing of Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The highly-rated prospect, who also scored a late winner against the same opponents as a substitute last month, was given his opportunity in the continued absence of leading striker Sergio Aguero through injury.

And after his eye-catching display against the Eagles, Iheanacho, who joined City last season but had to be held back while work permit issues were resolved, is now hungry for more.

He said: “I know I have the quality to prove myself any time I am given the chance. So any time I am on the pitch I have to work hard and play to the instruction of the coach and try to score a goal. That is what I am working on.”

Iheanacho, promoted to the first-team squad in the summer, realises that in Aguero and Wilfried Bony he has some experienced – and expensive – players ahead of him in the pecking order but he is not fazed.

He said: “It is quite difficult because they are professional players, they have played in a lot of competitions and a lot of games and I am just coming up. I need to work hard every day and hopefully I will break in.”