Ireland commits to City

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has signed a new four-year contract.

The talented schemer has impressed this season in the centre of the field, despite a campaign that has been more mediocre than magnificent for City.

In recent weeks it has been reported that Sunderland were monitoring his progress, with Black Cats boss Roy Keane a known admirer of his fellow Irishman.

Ireland, though, insists his focus has always been on life at City and having now struck a long-term accord with his paymasters, he is looking forward to the future with renewed optimism.

"It's all well worth it now to get it signed so I can concentrate on my football," he told the club's official website.

"I don't have to worry about my immediate future, I've got a long contract now and it'll set me up for a few years to progress myself and become a fixture in the side.

"It's hard being a young player coming through from the academy, you've got to be on form every day in training, as well as the games.

"You have to take that chance, you see Bradley (Wright-Phillips), Willo (Flood) and Crofty (Lee Croft) getting sold last year, so I could have been in that boat. I'm glad that I've been kept on and I'm happy here and hope to stay for as long as possible.

"It's a good time for me to get my new contract, I've been here a few years and now I'm looking ahead to the next few."