Sven: Ireland will bounce back

MANCHESTER CITY manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has backed Stephen Ireland to learn from his latest indiscretion.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder was sent off for a poor challenge on the Tottenham defender Lee Young-Pyo with eight minutes remaining at White Hart Lane yesterday and will now serve a three-match ban, another unpleasant twist in an already turbulent season for the youngster.

The Swede said: “When I saw it from the bench I thought it was harsh. Looking at it in the dressing room I don’t think we should complain about it, just accept it.

“We suffered from it but the person who is going to suffer from it the most is the player. He will probably not be able to play for three games. It shouldn’t happen but it does of course.

“The tackle was not a nice one but it happens if not in every game often in football.

“Stephen Ireland is a young and very, very good football player and he will be better and better. The tackle he did today he shouldn’t have done it but he did it. Sometimes adrenaline goes some inches too high. He pays a heavy price for it.”