James Milner 'to leave Manchester City after World Cup'

James Milner will reportedly leave Manchester City once he returns from the World Cup with England, after becoming disillusioned with life at the Premier League champions.

Despite the 28-year-old midfielder appearing in all but seven of the Blues' league fixtures this season and picking up a second winners' medal in three years, Milner has only started 17 of those games and, according to The People, he is keen to leave the Etihad Stadium.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini may hope to retain the England international, as the possible departures of Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott could leave the champions with a low quota of homegrown players in their squad.

However, it has been reported that Milner is keen to make a fresh start and may even take a pay cut on his current £90,000-per-week salary to make it happen.

Milner was said to be annoyed at being substituted after an hour of their penultimate Premier League game against Aston Villa and only getting 14 minutes of playing time in their last fixture against West Ham United.