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City Star Could Miss Season Finale Tuesday 19th May 2009
Manchester City’s ever-improving midfielder Steven Ireland may be relegated to the bench for the weekend’s game against Bolton.
Contract talks between City and Ireland have hit a standstill and manager Mark Hughes may decide to leave him out of the game at Eastlands on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has been an excellent performer for nouveaux-riche City this season and has won himself a regular place in the first-team.
Fantasy Stakes players should note that the midfielder has played 34 times in the league so far this season and has bagged nine goals in the process.
But despite his solid performances this term, City have yet to offer him an improvement to his current deal that ends in 2011 and speculation is mounting that he could be on the move this summer.
Ireland admitted that an agreement is a long way off, saying: “I don’t know if I’m going to sign or not. The club haven’t really made an offer yet. If they make one great - if not, I have got two years left.
“I think I’ve done enough this year and let my football do the talking. But talks have barely started - we are a long way off. It’s out of my hands right now and up to the club, not me.”
The Blues can no longer reach any higher than ninth in the Premier League this season with one game to go, and the match against Bolton may have an exhibition feel.
