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Pellegrini insists there is no rift with Milner

Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that James Milner is an important part of the City machine © Getty Images

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Manuel Pellegrini insists he has no problem with James Milner as the midfielder delays signing a new contract until he is sure he will get enough first-team football.

Manchester City are keen to keep Milner and have opened talks with the 28-year-old but risk losing him on a free transfer next summer if no new deal can be agreed.

Milner only started 12 Premier League games last season but has begun three of City's four most recent matches and has been praised by both supporters and manager Pellegrini for his performances.

"I think that what James Milner said is what every football player will say," Pellegrini admitted. "All the players want to play more games. I think James is an important player for our squad.

"He knows exactly what I think about that. I don't think we are going to have any problems about that. He is always involved, maybe some games he starts and some as a substitute but he is always playing."

Milner is expected to retain his place for Saturday's trip to Hull, especially because Samir Nasri is sidelined.

Meanwhile, Pellegrini said there is no rush to decide if City will extend Frank Lampard's loan deal at the Etihad Stadium, which expires in January.

Lampard is due to join New York City FC but City are open to the possibility of keeping the 36-year-old for longer, with the chance he could remain in Manchester until the middle of February.

"I can clarify the situation," Pellegrini added. "It is very easy. Lampard is playing. He has scored three goals in the last two games. In this moment, he is a very important player for us.

"He will stay with us here until January. We will see after what happens in the future. It is not a problem we have to analyse at the moment. We are here in September. There is October, November, December, three long months [when] he continues with us. We will see after when the loan finishes what we are going to do."

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