Manchester City youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko has admitted that he is 'hopeful' of one day breaking into the first team.
The Ukranian attacker joined Pep Guardiola's side from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer and was immediately shipped out on loan to PSV, where he made 19 appearances for the senior and youth teams.
The 20-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for City but, having trained with the first team in recent weeks, is aiming to make his bow in the EFL Cup tie with Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight.
"We will see what happens but obviously it is what I am working towards," he told the club's website. "My first goal is to stay here – this is my home and I want to play for City.
"It won't be easy to break into this team, but I'm working hard towards my goal and I want to be a positive influence at the club, on the training ground and in the dressing room and contribute in whichever way I can.
"I've been doing more in recent training sessions and I'm starting to really understand the role now. A central midfielder should be able to play in every position and be smart in my opinion – like Fernandinho – he can play anywhere and be equally as good.
"It is adding new aspects to my game which hopefully will improve me as a player. You have to be professional, work hard and try and improve every day. These guys are helping me and I really enjoy training with them."
Guardiola has previously hinted that he will make wholesale changes for the last-16 tie, which gets underway at the Etihad at 8pm.
Neil Wilkes
