Source: Daily_Mail
Sick Ireland forced out of Manchester City's meeting with West Ham
Stephen Ireland looks set to miss Manchester City's Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham tonight after contracting a sickness bug. [LNB]Ireland's presence had initially been in doubt when he was taken to hospital on Wednesday night after complaining of dizziness during the Carling Cup win over Fulham. [LNB]The midfielder was subsequently released, with his symptoms diagnosed as nothing more serious than extreme tiredness. [LNB] [LNB] Struggling: Ireland (right) is unlikely to line up against the Hammers[LNB]However, his hopes of facing Gianfranco Zola's men seem to have collapsed amid reports Ireland contracted a virus late last week which saw him ordered home from the City training ground. [LNB] Gareth Barry had suffered from the same problem, but his recovery has apparently been quicker and he should face the Hammers as City look to move back into the top four. [LNB]If, as expected, Ireland does miss out, manager Mark Hughes will face a selection dilemma as he does not have an obvious like-for-like replacement. [LNB]Should Micah Richards recover from a shoulder problem, Pablo Zabaleta could move into midfield alongside Barry and Nigel de Jong. [LNB]Martin Petrov is another alternative in a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation, while there is also a chance £17million forward Roque Santa Cruz could be handed a starting berth for his debut after being sidelined since his summer move from Blackburn due to a knee operation. [LNB] Only injuries have prevented Craig Bellamy being a truly great player - West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola fears fully-fit Manchester City strikerDriving ambition: I could have been the next Lewis Hamilton insists Manchester City star Nigel de JongSanta Cruz return gives City a boost: £17m striker ready to face West HamMANCHESTER CITY FC
