SUN JIHAI is being made available at Manchester City.

The long-serving China international defender has been told he can leave, the Sunday Mirror reported.

Sun, 29, is a veteran among Chinese international players.

He joined City in February 2002 from Dalian. That was Sun’s second spell in English soccer having previously spent a couple of seasons at Crystal Palace before returning to China.

Sun became the first Chinese player to score in the Premiership when he headed home the first City goal in the team’s 2-0 win over Birmingham in October 2002. It was the first match in which he had played right wing back for the club. He continued with impressive displays in that role denying Shaun Wright-Phillips a place in the side.

With the arrival of Danny Mills at the start of the 2004/05 season, the China international found himself acting as a utility player with roles in midfield.

After a steady season, the popular utility man was rewarded with a two-year extension on his City deal at the start of May 2006.

He made 11 starts last season, his versatility helping the side switch formations as required in many games. He was also called up by China for the Asia Cup in July.

However, in the new season under new manager Sven Goran Eriksson, he spent most of his time on the bench.

Apart from Sun, Danny Mills, Georgios Samaras, Bernardo Corradi, Darius Vassell and Paul Dickov were also told they were not part of Eriksson’s plans.

“Sven looked me in the eye and was brutally honest with me — he told me I would be lucky to play three or four games before Christmas,” said Mills.

“He said I could stay and fight for my place in the team or I could leave and he wouldn’t stand in my way. I told him I would rather leave the club if I wasn’t getting regular first-team football.”

(SD-Agencies)