Stoke City defender Danny Pugh has vowed to establish himself in the first team next term
The 26-year-old former Manchester United youngster has struggled to hold down a place in Stoke's side, starting only 10 matches in the recently completed campaign.
He had been used at left-back in the final weeks of the season but was back on the bench for Sunday's last match - the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal - and only used as a second-half substitute.
That is progress on the start of the season, when he could not even get into the match-day squad at times, and he said: "I have two years left on my contract, I want to stay here and improve my career here.
"I wasn't playing at all earlier in the season and that wasn't nice but since Christmas things have picked up.
"Now over the summer I aim to keep myself fit and come back next season flying. I will be trying to get myself in the first team early on and really establish myself."
Chief executive Garry Cook says Manchester City will one day be able to challenge neighbours Manchester United.
United are looking to add a second consecutive Champions League crown to their three successive Barclays Premier League titles.
City, who finished 10th in the league, want to start closing the gap this summer and their Abu Dhabi owners are poised to fund a transfer spending spree.
Cook said: "People say our ambitions are too high but I don't see a problem with having the ambition to be the best in England and then Europe.
"It is about building a culture of success here - not one of survival.
"I want to be competing with United one day and I have no reason to think we won't be."
Cook is not expecting instant success but believes the club now have a solid base with manager Mark Hughes and is preparing for a busy summer.
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