Ireland ready to return

Jack has a post up today looking at the work load our primary midfielders - Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry - have faced so far this season, so it is good news that it is reported that Stephen Ireland is set to be on the bench tomorrow evening:

STEPHEN Ireland will return to the Manchester City bench for the 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 as City look to establish a first-leg lead.

I would be surprised if Ireland saw any action tomorrow, and it may only be if we need to try and conjour something up late on but I would expect him to see some significant action on Sunday at Scunthorpe when de Jong and Barry will in all likelihood be sat with their feet up.