Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha wants to prove himself at the club - but knows the time may come when he has to leave.

The 23-year-old was a regular member of Mark Hughes' starting line-up at the back end of last season and on the back of some eye-catching performances readily agreed a new four-year contract.

However, with the introduction of Kolo Toure and Jolean Lescott to the club he has found himself out on the sidelines and concerned for his future at Eastlands.

The former England Under-21 star did not feature for a single minute of City's opening five games, and his frustration was only compounded by a hip injury, from which he has only just recovered.

Now he is desperate to make up for lost time, knowing what fate awaits if he does not manage it.

"I was very happy to sign my new deal," he said.

"I was looking forward to the start of the season because there was so much hope and expectation around and I was desperate to be part of that.

"But when I saw Richard Dunne, who has been such an ambassador, leave the club and others come in, I thought it would be harder for me.

"You can be realistic, optimistic or pessimistic.

"Much as I love the club, I wouldn't want to be out of the side for the next five years.

"If there comes a point when I am not wanted, there is not much I can do. For now I am wanted and I want to stay and play more games."

It is the kind of problem England's big-four have been balancing for years.

For City, it is something new. And without the extra matches that come through European qualification, Onuoha knows his opportunities will be limited.

He should play in tonight's friendly with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi though, the start of what he hopes to be a route back.

"It is disappointing not to play given what I did last season and compared to then I do feel I may have gone backwards," he admitted.

"But I don't think it is impossible to get back to where I was."