Manchester Evening News

Kean keen to send a message to Pep

- By MATT CHAMBERS

KEAN Bryan wants to return to first love City with his reputation enhanced.

The 20-year-old topped off a solid and composed performanc­e for Oldham at Fleetwood on Saturday with a brilliant goal.

The Gorton-based player has been operating in midfield for the League One strugglers and showed his attacking ambition by firing a 20-yard shot into the top corner in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Highbury.

Bryan is a pal of former City starlet Jack Byrne and is now back playing alongside the Dubliner, who is also on loan at Oldham from Wigan. But with plenty of time left on his contract and with Pep Guardiola appearing happy to give youth its chance – Phil Foden (17) was named on the bench for the Liverpool game – the versatile and technicall­y adept Bryan believes he has plenty of time to make his mark at City.

“It is a case of just getting out there, playing and enjoying myself,” said Bryan, whose loan at Oldham runs up until January.

“Then we will see what the future holds.

“I still have two years left on my contract, so I have got to do what I did at Fleetwood, putting in good performanc­es.

“Manchester City are my home club and I am here at Oldham to do a job.

“So whatever I need to do to get back to City with them looking at me in a positive way is what I am aiming for.

“I am enjoying my football. It’s good to be back out playing again, as I have not played for a while.

“I am glad to come to Oldham to play and get those minutes under my belt, which I need.”

Bryan had a similar loan spell at Bury last season, where he made 13 appearance­s.

The England youth internatio­nal, who has been with City since the age of 11, is relishing a different sort of pressure to that experience­d within the Elite Developmen­t Squad.

“It is men’s football and it’s a lot more physical and I would say quicker as well,” he added.

“Playing for three points every week is the main thing.

“There is that pressure before the game knowing that you have got to go out and get the win for the club and for the fans.”

Bryan will be part of the Oldham squad that travels to Bristol Rovers tonight aiming for a first victory of the season at the seventh attempt.

“The margins are fine and they don’t get finer than conceding a penalty in the 90th minute,” Bryan said, after being denied the match-winner by a late spot-kick in the Fleetwood draw.

“It is what it is and we have to pick ourselves up and try to get the three points at Bristol Rovers.”

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 ??  ?? Kean Bryan, who is now at loan at Oldham
Kean Bryan, who is now at loan at Oldham

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