MANCHESTER City have approached Werst Ham United about the availability of Matthew Upson, amid a growing sense that Everton are not to going to allow Joleon Lescott to leave Goodison Park.

MANCHESTER City have approached Werst Ham United about the availability of Matthew Upson, amid a growing sense that Everton are not to going to allow Joleon Lescott to leave Goodison Park. (Guardian)

City boss Mark Hughes has identified Upson as the next option. Sylvain Distin, the former City defender who is now at Portsmouth, is also a possibility but Hughes would prefer Upson and the club are considering lodging an official bid for the England centre-back.

City have spent �94m this summer but Hughes, who feels his team still need strengthening in defence, wants to replace Richard Dunne, the club captain and four-times player of the year.