Eriksson keen to recruit new faces

Although Eriksson has already brought in eight new faces since succeeding Stuart Pearce last month, the former England coach believes more are still required - with a striker and a new midfielder his main priorities.

"In a way it is true to say I have to sell players before others come in," said Eriksson. "When you have 25 or 26 players, it is just not practical. Training is difficult for a start, so we shall see."

In the aftermath of Wednesday night's 2-1 win over Bristol City at Ashton gate, Eriksson denied he had made an approach for Inter Milan's Brazil striker Adriano.

However, tantalisingly, he did add: "Even if I had made contact with him I would say no. Take that how you want."

After 32 years without a trophy and successive exits to lower league opposition in the corresponding stage of this competition, it is a welcome relief for City's long-suffering fans to see their club in Saturday's third-round draw.

Their win was achieved with a greater degree of difficulty than might have been expected after Emile Mpenza gave them a first-half lead.

At the time, City were dominant and they remained on top for most of the game. But a series of missed chances threatened to cost them dear when Bradley Orr hooked home a surprise equaliser mid-way through the second half.

Thankfully for the visitors Rolando Bianchi smashed home a 20-yard effort 10 minutes from time - his first goal since the opening day win at West Ham - to seal a deserved win.

"I am relieved to be through," confirmed the former England coach. "We should have finished it much more easily. We had five or six good opportunities to score in the first half alone."