Alvaro Negredo arrived in England amid much fanfare. During his four years at Sevilla, the 28-year-old had established himself as one of the best strikers in La Liga and had also threaded his way into the Spain national team.

The former Real Madrid forward was an instant hit in the Premier League as well, scoring 23 goals in 33 appearances for Manchester City. The Spaniard was looking worth the £20 million the Citizens had paid Sevilla for his services.

Moreover, Negredo had formed a strong partnership with Sergio Aguero and the two were at one stage of the 2013-14 campaigned acclaimed the most dangerous duo in the English top flight.

Since Januart Negredo has found himself so what of a bit player in City's title challenge. This is mainly due to a shoulder injury he picked up in City's defeat of West Ham. He now says he is back to his best.

Negredo told The Manchester Evening News “I was playing games when I wasn’t fully fit — but things have turned around now and I am fit again,” he said. “I am not featuring as regularly as before. I turned it around earlier in the season so I have got to have the same mentality to turn things around once again.

“It’s just a case of working as hard as I can to get as many minutes on the pitch as possible to repay their faith in me.”

Negredo is also concerned that the down turn in form may hamper his World Cup hopes.“It’s my dream to be involved in the World Cup — it would be great and is something I am fighting for. Not playing regularly here means the national manager has not seen much of me — but I won’t give up. Quite the contrary — I am full of optimism.

“It’s about carrying on with the same dynamic that served me so well earlier in the season.”

Negredo see's himself in a similar situation as the one he was in when he first arrived at the Etihad. Dzeko was seen as first choice but Negredo scored his first three goals off the bench, and once he began getting regular starts formed a prolific relationship with Aguero.

“I settled in right from the word go although initially my time on the pitch was limited,” he said. “But I continued to work hard and when I got the chance I started to score goals.

“I then picked up a shoulder injury which affected things. We were struggling up front suffering from injuries and needed all the support we could get.” But, over and above his personal ambitions, Negredo wants to repay the support he has been given by the City support.

“The fans have been great with me since the start,” he said. “The first time my dad was at the game he heard this and thought ‘Why are they booing my boy?’

“I will be fighting hard to return their support and I appreciate how much they have supported me.”

Photo: Action Images via Reuters