Signed for £2.5million from Espanyol three years ago, the 24-year-old has been limited to 25 Premier League starts with City but looks like the natural successor to the inspirational captain for club and country Williams, who is now with Everton.

"Jordi Amat is a great addition - he is a big, physical presence, but he is also mobile and good on the ball, so he can help us through a difficult time," said goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who made a string of match-winning saves, in particular a late effort to keep out Dean Marney's deflected shot.

"Losing Ashley put the spotlight on the players in his position, but today it brought the best out of our centre backs.