Ireland set for City recall despite rant

STEPHEN IRELAND looks sure to be in Manchester City’s squad for Saturday’s trip to Fulham despite posting a bizarre message on the internet questioning his desire to play football.

City officials are paying little attention to a statement by Ireland on the Bebo social networking website under the name ‘Daddy Dick’, in which he claimed “football is s***” and asked “why did I get stuck doin (sic) it”.

Coming so soon after he was branded “stupid” by his manager Sven-Goran Eriksson over erroneous claims that first one, then the other of his grandmothers had died, as he attempted to remove himself from Republic of Ireland duty last week when, in fact, his girlfriend has suffered a miscarriage, the latest statement has raised more concerns about Cobh native Ireland.

It has been reported Ireland has been advised to seek psychological advice by Eriksson. But senior figures within the Blues hierarchy have stressed this is not the same type of counselling Joey Barton was forced to undergo during his time with the Eastlands outfit.

Indeed, the Corkman has been at City’s Carrington training complex all week and, after sitting out Sunday’s win over Aston Villa, is expected to be recalled at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile, City skipper Richard Dunne is keen to get back involved too after serving a one-match ban at the weekend following his recent dismissal at Blackburn.

Dunne will take the captain’s armband off central defensive partner Micah Richards as the Blues look to consolidate second spot in the Premier League table.

And, while the Dublin-born star admits he is not a great spectator, City’s recent improvement means he was a relaxed viewer against Villa.

“I don’t like watching and I hope I don’t have to do it too often,” Dunne told www.mcfc.co.uk

“But there is a lot more confidence about the camp now. The manager has built a really good squad since he came here and I was confident watching on Sunday.”