Chinese defender could sign for City

Last updated : 28 January 2002 By Brian Cartlidge
The former Crystal Palace player can play all along the back line and could be a replacement for Dickson Etuhu, who joined Preston earlier this week.

Kevin Keegan has stressed that Sun Jihai is not on trial, but that he is keen to see the 24-year-old at first hand.

He said: "He will be over next week and could stay for up to a week if we want him. He is a quality player who was sold back to China by Crystal Palace for more money than they paid for him.

"Sun Jihai has been in England before, likes it and wants to come back. We know he is good enough to play for us if we are in the Premiership, but we want him to come and have a look at us," he told the club's official website.