Sven backs Benjani to become a City slicker

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• More Manchester City news

Problems over Benjani's move to Eastlands have been blamed on the player falling alseep and missing flights to Manchester on transfer deadline day, before he eventually completed a deal that could be worth up to £7.75m to his old club Portsmouth.

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Great expectations: Benjani has been tipped to be a hit at City

But having played as a lone striker at Fratton Park, Eriksson believs the 29-year-old will be ideal for the system City have used for much of the season.

"I think he will fit in very well," said the Swede. "He's played by himself for Portsmouth many times, and I hope he can play on Sunday.

"He's a very good footballer, and he's scored 12 goals in the league so far this season which is a good record. When we had the opportunity to take him, I did not hesitate at all, my reaction was 'yes, let's take him'.

"He's 29, he has a lot of experience, he's very strong and is a proven goalscorer. We need that, that's for sure.

"He's always been a hard worker. I know people who worked with him at Grasshopper FC in Zurich a few years ago, they said he was a goalscorer and a hard worker even then and it's good if you can have that combination in a player.

"I don't know him well yet, but he looks very lively and is always looking around him to see what's going on. I'm sure he will be a very good signing for us."