Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel has responded to coach Doug Marrone's calls for greatness by piling the same expectations on himself.

Manuel has recovered from minor knee surgery in time for the start of the new NFL season, and the rookie will make his first league appearance against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Marrone admitted that he expects "great things" from Manuel, and the 23-year-old is expecting nothing less of himself.

"Myself, I expect greatness all time. I know this is my first NFL game, but I'm not looking at it like that," Manuel told the team's official website.

"I'm looking at it as the Buffalo Bills 2013 season, the first game of that. We've got to go out there, play hard and execute our offence and we know the defence will do a good job too."

Manuel was chosen in the first round of this year's Draft, being selected 16th overall.