MANCHESTER City are on the brink of losing "the next Patrick Vieira" for nothing.

Teenage sensation Dickson Etuhu has been the revelation of City's season with his build and style bringing immediate comparisons with Arsenal's French superstar.

But City are bracing themselves for a shock departure of the 19-year-old who is stalling on signing a new improved contract to replace the deal which expires in July.

City rate him highly but will be powerless to prevent the London boy walking out of Maine Road in the summer if he decides to try his hand elsewhere.

And the fact they have signed a defensive midfielder in the same mould in the form of Christian Negouai this week will not help City's chances of keeping hold of the hot prospect.

Negouai's arrival has excited Keegan more than any other player he has brought to Maine Road which will not enhance Etuhu's immediate first team chances - or City's chances of holding on to the teenager tipped as a major star in the making.

Meanwhile Negouai found himself on a hat-trick - before he had even made his debut.

The tough guy midfielder literally made his mark on his new team-mates when his no-holds-barred style saw first Darren Huckerby then Richard Edghill go down injured in training.

"He was on a hat-trick," joked manager Kevin Keegan who said the injuries were caused because of Negouai's over eagerness to win a contract during his trial spell.

It did the trick with Keegan paying Belgian club Charleroi £1.5m for the 23-year-old who he describes as the most exciting player he has brought to Maine Road so far.

Negouai snubbed offers from Premiership trio West Ham, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to sign for City and, in particular, Keegan who remains a massive name with footballers at home and even more so abroad.

Striker Huckerby had to miss two days' training after Negouai caught him after which his new team-mates joked they all wanted to be on the same team as him in future training games.

Edghill, only just recovering from injury, found himself on the opposition side the following day and was the next to go down under a challenge from the 6' 4" strong man.

Keegan said: "We like everything we see of Christian. He is strong, has tremendous balance and can play in several positions although I see him primarily as a defensive midfielder."