Let’s stick together

GARETH Barry has urged Manchester City's expensively assembled squad to pull together – and is keen to see further spending before the transfer window closes.

Barry was recruited from Aston Villa last summer and James Milner is set to make the same move after a similarly-protracted pursuit this time around.

And Barry is excited about the prospect, saying: "James brings energy and quality to any team.

"You only have to look at the number of goals and chances he has created over the last couple of seasons. He is always in the top two or three in terms of assists. He would be a great addition to any team."

The England midfielder's arrival would add to the already fierce competition for places at Eastlands, and Barry has warned that players must battle for places rather than sulk if they miss out.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given was a notable casualty on the first day of the Barclays Premier League season, sitting on the substitutes’ bench at White Hart Lane as England's Joe Hart almost single–handedly frustrated Tottenham.

Hart made at least three world-class stops - one of them from Jermain Defoe was an early contender for save of the season - and justified manager Roberto Mancini’s choice of the younger man in goal.