Sven: Ron blow for derby duel

By Stephen Bramley   Last updated: 16th August 2007

Sven: Ron blow for derby duel

Eriksson: disappointment

As a fan or a spectator in front of the TV, you want to see the best players perform

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Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson says it is a 'pity' neighbours United will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for Sunday's Manchester derby.

Ronaldo picked up a red card at Portsmouth on Wednesday night and misses the Eastlands showdown through suspension.

The news will be welcomed by City fans, but Eriksson feels the game will be poorer without the Portuguese star.

Best players

"It is always a pity," he said. "As a fan or a spectator in front of the TV, you want to see the best players perform.

"But they have so many good footballers I think they can put in another one who is of roughly the same standard as well."

With Wayne Rooney already out for two months with a fractured foot and Ronaldo starting a three-match ban, City go into the clash on a high.

Carried away

But the former England boss, who saw his side follow up Saturday's win at West Ham with a 1-0 win over Derby, is not getting carried away.

"It's a big game against the champions and I look forward to it," he added.

"There is a long way to go yet but we have two wins and two clean sheets, so we could not have started much better."