Eriksson denies Elano interest

Signed by Eriksson for £8million from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer, Elano has been a huge factor in City's meteoric rise to fourth spot in the table, and his superb performances have caught the eye across Europe.

"If Inter wanted one of our players, I am sure (coach) Roberto Mancini would have telephoned me straightaway," he said. "I know him and we speak regularly with each other. He would be the first one to tell me if Inter wanted Elano. So I don't think they do."

Eriksson reported there had been no inquiries for any of his star men, who, crucially, are not cup-tied for Europe.

This number includes young England defender Micah Richards, who found himself plastered on the front pages of the newspapers in somewhat unfortunate circumstances at the weekend.

As no stranger to headlines himself from his time in charge of England, Eriksson is well placed to offer Richards some timely advice about avoiding such situations in future.

But, rather like Sir Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United players' party, it is not a subject for public consumption.

"I have spoken to Micah but that is all the comment I have to make about it," said Eriksson.

With his side not in action until Thursday, when they tackle out-of-form Blackburn at Eastlands, Eriksson has opted to give the City players a rare Christmas Day off.