Mills, who is currently on loan at Doncaster Rovers, was deemed surplus to requirements by the former England coach but still has another year left on his contract with the Premier League club.

With Eriksson on his way after a dispute with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, Mills is waiting to discover if he figures in the plans of the club's next manager.

The 21-year-old has confidence in his ability to step up a level after spending the majority of this season playing League One football for Rovers.

However, if City should call time on his career at Eastlands, Mills is not ruling out the possibility of staying with Rovers who could yet be playing in the Championship.

Victory tomorrow night against Southend United would take Rovers to within 90 minutes of promotion ahead of a play-off final at Wembley against Leeds United or Carlisle United.

"If the rumours are true and the manager is leaving, then of course it will change my approach if I go back," said Mills, who cost City £750,000 from Southampton two years ago.

"But if I leave in the summer, I would like to think that Doncaster are in the Championship and I have got options," he added. "I have never hidden the fact that I came here to play first-team games and build a platform for my career.

"I have enjoyed my time under the manager Sean O'Driscoll and I will enjoy it until it ends. I have learned a lot and, as a coach, he definitely brings the best out of you as a player."

A former England Under-19 international, Mills – like many homegrown young players – has effectively been pushed out of the Premier League by the mass influx of foreign players.

The majority of his team-mates from the England side have suffered similar fates although Middlesbrough's David Wheater, West Ham's Mark Noble, and Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter are exceptions to the rule.

"The standard is so high in the Premier League that you have got to get your experience elsewhere. I have been living out of a box for the last two years – on loan at Bournemouth, Colchester and Doncaster – but unfortunately, that is just the way that football has gone. I am still aiming to get to that top level which is why doing well this season was so important to me."

Rovers held Southend to a goalless draw in the semi-final first leg at Roots Hall last Friday and Mills believes the team will finish off the job at home tomorrow night.

"When we are on our game, we are a match for anyone," he said. "The most important thing in the first leg was not to lose because we always fancy our chances on our home turf.

"It would be a massive achievement if we could get to Wembley and win promotion," he added. "I have spoken to a lot of older lads who have never experienced winning promotion. Playing for England was one of the biggest highlights of my career but this could also be something I will remember for the rest of my life."