Ireland misses out for City

Stephen Ireland has been ruled out of Manchester City’s clash with West Ham tonight, with Martin Petrov included in the starting XI for the first time this season.

Ireland picked up an illness late last week and has not recovered in time as City look to force their way into the Premier League’s top four with £17m striker Roque Santa Cruz on the bench for the first time.

England striker Carlton Cole returns for the Hammers, who slid into the bottom three over the weekend, while Matthew Upson has been ruled out with a minor calf injury.

Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, De Jong, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Bellamy.

Subs: Taylor, Richards, Johnson, Santa Cruz, Garrido, Sylvinho, Weiss.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Da Costa, Tomkins, Ilunga, Diamanti, Kovac, Parker, Noble, Jimenez, Cole.

Subs: Kurucz, Spector, Nouble, Payne, Hines, N’Gala, Stanislas.

Referee: Chris Foy.