Source: SKY_Sports
Ireland desperate to make derby
Stephen Ireland is doing all he can to ensure that he is ready for derby duty against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Manchester City midfielder was forced out of the Blues' 4-2 victory over Arsenal on Saturday after picking up a slight knock.
That raised fears that he could miss out on this weekend's mouth-watering clash with their cross-city neighbours.
Ireland, though, insists the injury is not severe enough to keep him sidelined for long and admits he is desperate to be involved at Old Trafford.
"I can't wait for the match and I am confident that I will be fine for Sunday," he told City's official website.
"The injury was painful on Saturday but the three points soon made that fade."
Ireland admits the atmosphere generated in a Manchester derby is like nothing else he has experienced, while he feels a number of interesting sub-plots have only served to further heighten the sense of anticipation surrounding Sunday's encounter.
"There will be an extra edge to this game, there is no doubt about that," he said.
"Carlos Tevez coming here and some of the things that have been said this summer may even sharpen the edge.
"There is bound to be plenty of banter before the match and in the stands at Old Trafford, though I would like to think that there will be a definite line that will not be crossed.
"One of my best memories in football is the dignified and respectful way that our fans behaved at the derby when the Munich crash was commemorated.
"They can rightly bask in the term impeccable and the team was pretty impeccable too that day (in a 2-1 win). If we could replicate both next week then it would be great.
"Everyone is looking forward to the derby, especially after the win over Arsenal.
"Derby games are great; the nerves beforehand, the build up, the fans, just everything about them. They are especially good if you win.
"Gareth Barry's first question to me was what are the derby games like and my answer to him was that he would not have experienced anything like it in his life."
