Chinese international football player Sun Jihai is reported to have been apprised by the Premier League side Manchester City that his career with the club is likely to end.

 

 

Sun Jihai dribbles in an England Premier League match on this undated photo. Sun, acknowledged the most successful Chinese footballer competing in Europe is facing a tough period in Manchester City and likely to leave the club he has served for years. (File Photo: Osports.cn)

 

Shanghai-based Oriental Sports Daily quoted local sources as saying that Sun was informed he has been left out of the club's future lineup by boss Sven Eriksson.

 

Sun will be possibly transferred to another side in a transfer deal before the deadline falls on August 31, the report said.

 

Besides Sun, another five players, including former England national team's right back Danny Mills, are also facing the axe.

 

Sun was brought to England by Man City's then manager Kevin Keegan and later became the most successful Chinese footballer competing in Europe, with outstanding performance on-field.

 

But he started to lose ground after a long break caused by injury last season, in which he only made 13 appearances in the top division.

 

Sun plunged into a worst situation this season when new manager Swede Eriksson was appointed.

 

(CRI August 22, 2007)