Source: Man_City
Ireland has major part to play for City
Stevie IrelandStevie Ireland could be City's secret weapon in the battle for fourth place which hits a crucial phase in tonight's clash with Everton. Blues boss Roberto Mancini has dismissed speculation that last season's Player of the Year is unhappy and set to leave the club in the summer, possibly for top four rivals Liverpool, Arsenal or even United. And he stressed that the 23-year-old midfielder still has an important role to play in the remaining nine games of the Premier League season. That came after rumours circulated in Manchester this week that Ireland has instructed his advisers to find him a route out of the club. Mancini says he remains an important part of the squad, although injury and the system he has been playing have made it hard to find room for the Irishman. "Stevie still has a future at City - he is a good player with good spirit and good technique, and in our last few games he could be an important player for us," said Mancini. "He was injured when we played Chelsea and at Fulham we played with two midfielders and four strikers, which makes it difficult, and I have to choose. "When Stevie has played for me he has always done very well but I can only pick 11 players and the others have to go on the bench. "It is difficult for the players but it is even harder for the manager to choose and send players to the bench." City suffered another big injury blow yesterday when it was revealed that Joleon Lescott will be out for the next five weeks with a hamstring tendon problem. The big defender pulled up in the warm-up at Fulham and was replaced by Javier Garrido, who is expected to continue as his deputy tonight. "Joleon is a very important player, but we have other players who can do a good job in there," said Mancini. "It's unlucky to lose him at a crucial moment, but that is football. At Fulham Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure did a good job at centre back. "Whoever plays it is important that we defend as a team and that when we attack, we move very well." The Blues are expected to be unchanged tonight, although a slight doubt remained over Roque Santa Cruz, who limped off at Craven Cottage on Sunday with tight calves. The Blues are still without Martin Petrov (knee) and Wayne Bridge (hernia), while Emmanuel Adebayor completes his suspension. He will be available again for Monday's home clash with Wigan, but Mancini pointed out that City have won two and drawn one of the three games he has missed so far due to his four-match ban for a red card in the FA Cup defeat at Stoke. "We have done well without him," said the manager. "But I want him back against Wigan on Monday."| Submit Comments| Comments (6)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
