IRELAND SIGNS NEW CONTRACT

Last updated : 27 October 2005 By Ben Collins

The young Irish midfielder has put in a string of impressive performances since making his first-team breakthrough and has been rewarded with a contract extension.

"I'm delighted with the contract, I spoke to the gaffer and said that I wanted to stay as long as I possibly could," he told the City website.

"To get an extension through to 2009 is absolutely brilliant for me. I want to stay here, keep playing and keep proving myself."

The ease with which Ireland has taken to Premiership football has been surprising, and Ireland thinks it is down to his pre-season.

"Over the summer break I worked very hard on weights and keeping my fitness up to high levels," said Ireland.

"I played my pre-season over here and then they invited me to go over with the squad to Thailand, and that was an extra bonus again."

Ireland is sure to remain in the City side against Aston Villa on Monday with Claudio Reyna injured but he would have kept his place anyway after another promising display at Highbury last week.