DAVID SILVA has indicated he would like to stay at Manchester City beyond the two years remaining on his current deal though the playmaker is focusing on helping the club win a first title since 1968.

Asked if he will be interested when offered a fresh contract this summer Silva said: “What I’m thinking about is the next match on Sunday. I’ve got two years left on my contract and I’ve always said I’ll be happy to stay here.”

The 26-year-old midfielder also confirmed he is still troubled by the ankle problem that required surgery in 2008 and which has affected his performances during the latter part of the campaign. “I’ve been quite unlucky in the second half of the season because not only have I been knocked and knocked and knocked on the same ankle that’s caused me a lot of trouble but when I felt the worst physically we had a dip in form as a team,” he said.

“That seemed to show up even more what was happening with my ankle. But we’re finishing strongly as a team and I’m concentrating on finishing this season.

“My ankle is feeling slightly better but the team is also playing better, which helps. I’m just having a lot of physical treatment, getting a lot of movement in my ankle.”

Silva is confident this season’s Premier League title can be the next step on a path to sustained glory for City. Victories at Newcastle on Sunday and against QPR next week would surely secure City’s first league title since 1968.

And, with the squad Roberto Mancini has assembled at the Etihad Stadium, Silva is confident there will be much more to come.

“Last year we won the FA Cup and qualified for the Champions League. This year we are challenging for the title. Let’s see. Hopefully we can win the title, then next year we can challenge for the Champions League.”

Guardian Service