Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has backed teenager Matija Nastasic to become "one of the top defenders in Europe" in two years' time.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Premier League champions from Fiorentina in the summer, has replaced the injured Joleon Lescott in City's central defence in recent matches.

"Nastasic is still young," The Mirror quotes Mancini as saying. "He's playing in front of Joleon, and that's difficult because Joleon is an important player for us.

"Joleon's back from injury now, but Matija is playing very well. We spotted him last year and we think that in two years he will be one of the top defenders in Europe."

City are currently a point behind Manchester United in second place in the league table.