Elano 'would love' to stay with City

Elano has suffered a mixed bag of a season so far but with his star currently in the ascendancy the Brazilian has announced that he is ready to sign a new contract with Manchester City.

The midfielder is finishing his second season at Eastlands and has rediscovered the form which made him such a favourite after he was bought from Shakhtar Donetsk by City's former manager Sven Goran Eriksson. Yet for a lot of this season, it seemed the £8m midfielder would be leaving.

Elano was fined after expressing his irritation at the current manager Mark Hughes' team selection and there have been frequent rumours the pair still do not see eye to eye. However, with Elano's fellow countryman Robinho pledging his future to City, there appears to have been a thaw in relations between Elano and his manager.

The 28-year-old has admitted he would be happy to extend his stay. "This is the end of my second season with City and if it were up to me I would be discussing a contract extension right now," Elano said. "I would love to remain here for a long time. I love England and I enjoy living in Manchester. I am very happy."

Having scored twice – both from the penalty spot – in his last three games for City, Elano is set to play a major role in their effort to reach the new Europa League. Two places and three points off seventh spot in the Premier League, the Blues entertain Blackburn on Saturday knowing a win would put them right in the frame with three matches remaining.