1 Feb 2008Man City enter Intertoto Cup

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has confirmed that the club has applied to take part in this year's Intertoto Cup.

The competition, which takes place in the summer, offers a route into Europe via the Uefa Cup.

It will be used as an insurance policy for Manchester City should they fail to qualify for Europe via a top-six finish in the Premier League.

City currently sit in sixth place in the league but the club want to be as certain as possible that European football will be played at Eastlands next season.

"The deadline for the Intertoto Cup was January 25th and we are in it. Hopefully we won't need to but it's a possibility," Eriksson told the club's website.

"I've already told the players, 'for you the holiday will be very short' - they know that," he added.

If the former England manager lands City with a place in Europe it will be the first time the club has qualified since 2003 when they were entered into the Uefa Cup via the Fair Play League.

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