Eriksson concentrates on the next game

The newly-promoted side represent the next challenge for City after their superb opening game of the season, before Eriksson pits his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United team on Sunday.

Asked about the Manchester derby, Eriksson said: "I have not said one word about next Sunday and I am not going to. The big game for us is the game on Wednesday. You have to only look at the next game and not what is happening after Wednesday."

Expectations of City have already soared after their 2-0 dismissal of West Ham at the weekend and midfielder Stephen Ireland has even talked of the club developing a style similar to Arsenal's.

Eriksson, who still wants to sign a minimum of one player and a maximum of three before the transfer window closes, is concerned however that those expectations do not get out of hand.

He added: "We have to take it easy and not start talking about the big four. When the squad is complete then I will put a target to the players.

"We played very good football for large parts of the 90 minutes against West Ham and I was surprised by that because the new players did it so quickly - but Derby will be a new challenge."

The first task for Eriksson's side is to remove the stigma of not having scored a league goal in the City of Manchester Stadium since New Year's Day.

The City manager added: "It's a long time and we will try to play good football on Wednesday but we cannot guarantee anything.

"That is our target and we have been working very hard on that but in football you have to defend as well."