But ahead of the Carling Cup tie at Bristol City tomorrow Eriksson has made it very clear he wants several players to go.

He confirmed: “A few players are in negotiations with other clubs with our permission.”

Darius Vassell, Georgios Samaras and Bernardo Corradi are the three most likely to leave.

Eriksson said: “There are a lot of rumours not just of Darius Vassell going but some of the others.

There are others who will leave, we will see over the next few days".

“We have a few players, three or four, who are in discussions with other clubs. I am sure something will happen.

“It is only fair, it is not good to have too many players who are not playing football.”

Corradi is believed to be in negotiations with Siena over a return to Italy, while fellow striker Samaras could leave too.

Vassell has rejected moves to Besiktas and Derby, but it is possible the Premier League’s bottom club could make another approach.

Eriksson also wants to find new clubs for Danny Mills and Paul Dickov.

The former England manager added: “I have spoken to some of the players here who still have contracts but are not in the team.

“You have to be fair and tell them that they will not play much football if they stay here.

“It is professional and correct to tell them now rather than at Christmas time.”

Eriksson, who has already spent around £40million, has been linked with Brazilian Inter Milan striker Adriano and Portugal international Nuno Gomes, but would only say: “We are working hard on transfers, something will happen but Friday is very close.

“I will not comment on names that have been suggested, we will see on Friday.”

Eriksson plans to give the club’s academy youngsters their chance, and right-sided defender Shaleum Logan will make his senior debut at Aston Gate after impressing in pre-season.

Eriksson says: “The young players here are the future of this club, particularly Michael Johnson who is almost a regular. Logan will also come in and play at Bristol, he can play right-back or right-midfield.

“They have both signed new contracts, both are very good and I am pleased with them.

“I have been very surprised by the amount of very good young players here, lads like Micah Richards I knew a little about, but Johnson, Stephen Ireland, Logan, they are all impressive.

“We have not seen much of Logan yet but he will play against Bristol City. The academy has done a great job for this club.”

England Under-21 international Johnson signed a four-year contract with City today.

The 19-year-old from Urmston has been first choice in City’s midfielder under Eriksson and scored his first goal for the club with the only goal against Derby and a few days later was handed his first England Under-21 cap a few days alter by former club boss Stuart Pearce.

Eriksson added: “It is important to hold on to these youngsters, and it is a cheaper way to run a club if you can educate them at a young age.

“This club has been extremely lucky to have so many, and it is very impressive that they have produced so many like this.

“This is a good opportunity to see some of the other players, you need them to play because you will need them later in the season.

“We will make some changes at Bristol, and put out a very good team, but I want to see some of the others who have not played very much.

“We will take this competition seriously, you have to do that because this club has not won anything for a long time.

“We do not have Europe at the moment, but I hope we will have that in the future.”