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.

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