RELEGATED Manchester City yesterday gave their disappointed fans a boost by reiterating that the club will resist any multi million pound offers for Georgi Kinkladze.

The Georgian star is faced with the prospect of plying his trade in the English League first division next season. That scenario is bound to interest Europe's top clubs and the clamour for his services is expected to grow during the summer months.

But chairman Francis Lee is adamant that his exciting import will remain at Maine Road. "Georgi has been a breath of fresh air in the English game and you can for get all the stories about him being whisked away to some big money club," says Lee.

"Some of the things he does with the ball take your breath away. He is disappointed with his scoring record but you only have to look at him in action to see he will soon start improving that side of his game."

Kinkladze was manager Alan Ball's first major signing in the summer when moving to England in a £2million deal with Dinamo Tiblisi and he has been a ray of sunshine breaking through the dark clouds drifting over Maine Road.