Manchester City Football Club News

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:48,000

Ireland's hamstring woe

10 Oct 2006 - 11:08:03

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Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland is a doubt for Saturday's Premiership clash against Sheffield United after being forced to drop out of the Republic of Ireland squad with a hamstring injury.

The 20-year-old scored his first goal for his country in Saturday's 5-2 defeat to Cyprus, but has been ruled out of Wednesday's match against the Czech Republic.

"It looks as though we've lost Stephen Ireland to a hamstring problem, so that's something we have to look at when he returns from Ireland," City boss Stuart Pearce told the club's official website.

"The good news for us, although it's not for him or the Republic, is that Richard Dunne being sent off on Saturday enables us to have him back a bit earlier, and he'll be training with us today.

"It's better for me, and, although I'm disappointed for Richard and Stephen that they can't play in Ireland's second game, this should benefit the club."

Ireland made his first start for City this season in the recent 1-1 draw with Everton but has made five appearances from the substitute's bench.