Ireland back in squad for semi-final

Stephen Ireland will return to the Manchester City bench for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Eastlands.

Ireland has missed three games after picking up a hamstring injury at Wolves, but Roberto Mancini will have the midfielder amongst his substitutes tomorrow as City look to establish a first-leg lead.

Roque Santa Cruz will miss his club’s bid to reach a first domestic final since 1981 after suffering a recurrence of his calf injury at Everton, while Patrick Vieira (calf) will not be considered for his debut.

Team (from): Given, Taylor, Zabaleta, Richards, Onuoha, Sylvinho, Garrido, Trippier, Wright-Phillips, Kompany, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Robinho, Benjani, Petrov, Weiss, Tevez, Vidal, Boyata.