Isaksson - set to join Manchester CityAndreas Isaksson will turn down the chance to play against World Cup semi-finalists Germany this week in order to cement his position in Manchester City's squad.
The Blues are due to confirm Isaksson's arrival from Rennes on a three-year contract once the finishing touches to David James' move to Portsmouth are completed.
Even though he was able to play no part in Saturday's friendly encounter with Porto at Eastlands, Isaksson should replace James as Stuart Pearce's first-choice keeper and is expected to start the opening Premiership encounter with Chelsea next Sunday.
And, so keen is Isaksson to feature against the back-to-back champions, he has snubbed a high-profile midweek international friendly against Germany to stay and train at the Blues Carrington base.
"The best thing for me is to be in Manchester and train with my new team-mates," he told Aftonbladet.
"This is a big step forward for me. My ambition is still to play with one of the biggest teams, but right now it feels very good."
Isaksson is already aware he faces a much more demanding time physically in England than he encountered in France.
However, he has been hugely impressed by the impact Pearce has made during his short time in charge and is looking forward to the challenge.
"It will be significantly better opponents than in the French league and I have to raise myself another level if I want to do well," he said.
"It is a tougher game in the Premier League. The goalkeepers aren't as protected as we are in other leagues and you have to be aware of that."
"But Stuart Pearce believes in me a lot. He and the club seem to know exactly of what they are buying."
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