VASSELL BACKING FOR ERIKSSON

Vassell - backs Eriksson.

Darius Vassell has reiterated his support for under-pressure Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The club's owner Thaksin Shinawatra is reportedly unhappy with City's performance in the second half of the season, which resulted in a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League, and is conducting a performance review which places Eriksson's position in jeopardy.

The former England boss has so far refused to comment and showed a unified stance alongside the former Thai prime minister on Friday, posing for photos as a club store was opened in Bangkok.

Striker Vassell, who earned his England debut under Eriksson while at Aston Villa, has backed his beleaguered boss.

The 27-year-old has scored six times in 22 England appearances, the last of which came under Eriksson as England exited Euro 2004 to Portugal.

And despite being a peripheral figure at Eastlands this season, Vassell has enjoyed playing under the Swede on a full-time basis.

"It has been good.

"When he was coming here I was always hoping that he would've been the choice - I was happy."

Vassell, who joined City from Villa for £2million in July 2005, made 25 starts and six substitute appearances this term.

"It was difficult for me at the start of the season but I managed to get in around Christmas and got myself involved with the squad and I enjoyed it," he added.

Vassell denied that the speculation engulfing the club was affecting the players.

"We are all professionals and we're all doing our jobs," he said.

City meet Thailand Premier All-Stars in Bangkok on Saturday before travelling to the nearby resort of Pattaya and then on to Hong Kong for the second leg of the trip.

Ironically, City have already confirmed they will not be able to host the first qualifying round tie at Eastlands as the pitch is due to be relaid once a Bon Jovi concert has taken place in June.

With Old Trafford ruled out for obvious reasons and most Lancashire grounds either relaying their surface or deemed unsuitable, Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium, which usually plays host to rugby league in the summer, has been mentioned as a possible alternative.

Either way, having gained entry into the competition, one year ahead of schedule according to the blueprint of owner Thaksin Shinawatra, City will be fancied to reach the main stages in September.

While the draw for the first qualifying round is not due to be made until June 20, the Blues already know they have been placed in the Northern section.

This puts them in line to face opposition from Estonia, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Lithuania or Luxembourg, plus opposition closer to home in the form of two Northern Irish representatives Glentoran and Cliftonville, two from the Republic in Cork City and current league leaders St Patrick's Athletic, as well as Bangor from Wales.

There is also the possibility of a rematch with Wales' other representatives The New Saints who as Total Network Solutions, faced City when they last got into the UEFA Cup by the same route in 2003.