Stones - No old pals act

MANCHESTER City defender John Stones will be wiping clear thoughts of old friendships when he steps out against Everton tomorrow.

The England centre-back, who performed well for his country in keeping two clean sheets in the international break, is facing his former club for the first time at the Etihad Stadium as the Premier League returns.

While he is relishing the game, he admits that under new boss Ronald Koeman, the Toffees have made a positive start to the campaign, sitting as they do in fifth place in the early table.

"It's going to be interesting," Stones said. "It will be good to see some old faces and I have a lot of friends there.

"It should be a good game but when the whistle goes it all goes out the window, they're trying to beat us we are trying to beat them.

DIFFICULT

"It's always difficult for any manager to come in to a new club and to settle in quickly and get the boys working hard on what he wants them to do is always difficult for any manager.

"But he (Koeman) did that quickly while I was there and he has got them playing good football."

Stones is also keen to put to bed City's previous outing, a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.

"We are back at it, working hard," he added. "We were all a bit down after the Spurs defeat. It was a tough game and we have since worked hard looking at the next one."

MIKE Phelan is relishing the "huge challenges" ahead after finally signing a deal to become Hull's new head coach.

Phelan had been in caretaker charge since the summer departure of Steve Bruce, overseeing seven Premier League games so far from which the promoted Tigers have picked up seven points.

Phelan was first offered terms in September by the club's owners, who have been in takeover talks with several separate interested parties.

He said of the deal: "It's been a while in coming, but I'm happy with the position I am now in and looking forward to the challenge ahead."