Manchester City star Roque Santa Cruz implores Stephen Ireland to stay at Eastlands

Roque Santa Cruz has urged Manchester City team-mate Stephen Ireland not to turn his back on the Eastlands club amid mounting speculation over the midfielder's future.Ireland has struggled to find his way into the plans of City manager Roberto Martinez following the Italian's arrival midway through last season. Should I stay or should I go? Manchester City star Stephen Ireland The 23-year-old is just 12 months into a lucrative five-year deal atCity but is reportedly eyeing an exit after failing to reproduce thesparkling form he showed during the 2008/09 campaign.However, Paraguay international Santa Cruz believes Ireland still has much to offer the Barclays Premier League club, despite the expected influx of new players this summer. Battle: Stephen Ireland clashes with Johnny Heitinga during City's match against Everton in March'He is a very nice guy and a fantastic player also, so I think everybody at the club would be very disappointed to see him leaving. He is a great talent,' said Santa Cruz.'This season has been hard for him, not finding a starting place in the team, but it is always going to be hard when you are at a team that is always getting new players who start all the time.'It is very hard for everyone.' Champions League? Forget it! Debt-ridden Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool could face exclusion in future with UEFA set to ratify new financial fair play rulesManchester City need a good right back! Nigel de Jong urges Blues to sign Ajax defender Gregory van der WielMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail