Dzeko: Competition for places is good

MANCHESTER City striker Edin Dzeko does not feel the return of Carlos Tevez has put him under any extra pressure.

With Tevez now back in training following the closure of his dispute with the club, City are back to their full quota of four strikers for the first time in five months.

That is a factor which could prove crucial in the title run–in as City head into their final 12 games with a two–point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Yet the club’s three leading strikers this season, Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli, all underlined their talents by scoring the goals in Saturday’s routine 3–0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Dzeko said: “It’s not pressure, it’s just that he can bring quality to the team.

“We are all one team trying to play together and it’s good that we scored three because in the end goal difference could be the key.”

Tevez is not yet back in contention to play as he is short of match–fitness after spending more than three months in Argentina without the club’s permission.

But when he is ready, possibly some time in the next fortnight, competition for places will increase and Dzeko feels that could be a good thing.

The 25–year–old Bosnian said: “That is normal but it’s good you have so many quality players around you, and that they are all getting better.”

Dzeko’s goal against Rovers was his 18th of the campaign, but only came after he was summoned from the bench to replace Balotelli.

It was the second successive Premier League game he had had to settle for a substitute’s role but, despite frustration, he will not complain.

He said: “Sometimes you can play badly, but in the end it’s the decision of the manager and I respect that.

“We won 3–0 so no–one has to say anything.

“My goals are talking for me, so I’m happy.”