Manchester City star insists he will now take his chances
Javier Garrido has vowed to make the most of being handed a Manchester City lifeline by new manager Roberto Mancini.
The Spaniard was brought to the north-west from Real Sociedad by Sven-Goran Eriksson but was effectively frozen out of the first-team picture by Mark Hughes.
Mancini gave him a recall as a substitute in the win over Stoke on Saturday and the 24-year-old came off the bench again to score in Tuesday's 3-0 away win over Wolves.
Garrido told City's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "I am someone who works hard every day in training so that I am ready when called.
"This is an exciting moment for me. The new manager is giving everyone some minutes (on the pitch) and it is a chance to show what I can do.
"Every player wants to play in every game, and that is not always possible, but you have to stay mentally and physically sharp and ready for opportunities.
"The win at Wolves was a big result for the club and it was good to play a part.
"It means we have won three games in succession following the defeat at Spurs and we are close to the top four places in the league."
Garrido scored with a stunning free-kick and revealed his practising of set pieces paid off as he curled his 20-yard shot around the Wolves defensive wall and goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
He said: "I stay behind after training some days and work at free kicks alongside Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy and Robinho and it has paid off.
"Last night Carlos wanted to take the kick but I asked him to let me have a try because in that moment I felt so confident I could score.
"Perhaps the goalkeeper was surprised and was expecting someone else to take the kick but the ball did exactly as I wanted it to and it was an important goal in an important game.
"We have great players here who are better than me at free kicks so I had to take the chance when I felt it was right."
Wolves skipper Karl Henry believes City strike duo Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez can help propel their side into a Champions League spot by the end of the campaign.
Henry had a first-hand view of the duo's qualities during City's 3-0 win.
Tevez struck twice to take his goal tally to eight in his last seven games while Bellamy was a constant threat with his pace and could have scored himself on a couple of occasions.
Victory lifted Mancini's side level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa and nine points from the last three games have reignited the Blues' top-four hopes.
Henry told Press Association Sport: "They (Bellamy and Tevez) both have pace but Tevez's touch as well is superb. You also don't realise how strong he is.
"He was keeping the ball even when there were two or three players around him.
"With Bellamy's pace as well, the two of them stretch you and, before you know it, you're strung out and it's difficult to get back into your shape.
"They do that so well and they also retain possession and they will be key players for City in achieving what they want to achieve.
"They're a really good side and they'll be challenging for things this season.
"Can they break into the top four? I don't see why not. They've got everything in their team and, having played all the top sides, I think they will be challenging."
City were more effective once Bellamy was moved alongside Tevez in a main striking role as Mancini reverted to a 4-4-2 formation mid-way through the first half and had the chances to double their final goal tally.
But Mancini would dearly like to have Roque Santa Cruz back from injury to give him a different option up front.
And achieving a second clean sheet in the space of 72 hours was equally crucial after the shut-out against Stoke at the weekend.
Mancini said: "I'd like to have Santa Cruz back because it will give me the option of playing with the big striker and the little striker.
"Keeping clean sheets is also as important as scoring goals. You must have a balance. We only have had four days to work with the defence.
"It is important if you want to win to keep clean sheets, to concentrate for 95 minutes on defending the corners, the free-kicks. It is a big part of things.
"I was also pleased with the resilience of the players. We only had two days to recover from Saturday's match an, in Italy, it is impossible to play two games in three days,
"But the players fought really well and coped very well with the schedule. I was impressed with them all."
