But Taylor says the striker is not at Filbert Street for a 'little jolly-up'.

Mancini unsurprisingly looked short of match practice after an eight-month lay-off from competitive action.

And Mancini's former Sampdoria team-mate Trevor Francis, now manager of Birmingham City, is among those who have questioned the wisdom of bringing the player to England at this stage of his career.

But Taylor has no doubts about the commitment of the 36-year-old to City, who have begun preparing for Saturday's FA Cup Midlands derby at Aston Villa.

Taylor said: "He went home for a couple of days before coming back today but I've only known him for three or four days and what Sven-Goran Eriksson said about him was so right.

"Roberto is such a correct man, a proud man and a proud footballer and I know he wouldn't want to come over here and make a fool of himself.

"He wants to be here because he wants to do well. I can assure you he's not just come here for a little jolly-up in the Premiership before he ends his playing career.

"Saturday's game with Arsenal was difficult for him because he had to play more as a defender than an attacker because of the sending-off of Matthew Jones.

"But I thought some of his touch play was excellent as was his vision and I was very encouraged by what I saw on Saturday. "