Sven-Goran Eriksson is refusing to let the Premier League season peter out despite Manchester City appearing to have little left to play for.City are currently ninth in the table, eight points behind Everton who hold the UEFA Cup-qualifying position with just seven matches remaining.
City owner Thaksin Shinawatra targeted a top-half finish when he appointed the Swede last summer and the first of Eriksson's final seven matches is against relegation strugglers Birmingham tomorrow.
"Let's wait seven games and see what is happening; if we are in Europe or not because it is still possible," Eriksson said.
"If we can reach Europe, of course that would be fantastic but as the owner said 10th is a good result for the first season."
Although defenders Micah Richards and Michael Ball are not yet ready to return from injury at St Andrews, young midfielder Michael Johnson should keep his place.
Although he played a full 90 minutes against Bolton last weekend, the 20-year-old is restricted by the effects of surgery on an abdominal injury.
"He is okay," Eriksson said.
"First of all he cannot play twice a week with the injury he has had. After a game he always has two or three days of recovery.
"He has also had a chest infection - I don't know if he got it from me or not! - but he is back in training."
The Blues squad will meet up at their West Midlands base today to prepare for their second away match in consecutive weekends with players jetting back from international duty across the globe.
Utility man Sun Jihai was involved in a goalless World Cup qualifier for China against Australia on Wednesday while striker Felipe Caicedo reported for Ecuador's 3-1 win over Haiti.
Not knowing who is fit and well until 36 hours before a Premier League game, if not new, obviously hinders preparation.
Nevertheless, Eriksson said: "They have had long trips, so we will see when we meet in Birmingham. I haven't seen all the players yet, so I don't know what shape they're coming back in.
"But I would much rather have this situation - it means you have a good squad if you have a lot of international players, so it is better to have it than not to have it."
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