Stephen Ireland set to quit City after US tour bust-up with Mancini - Exclusive

Stephen Ireland is on his way out of Manchester City after a bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini on the club's trip to New York.

Midfield maestro Ireland clashed with the Italian after the defeat by Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon - and he now looks like being the big loser in the fall-out.

Mancini is not happy with Ireland's form and told the former Republic of Ireland star that he could even be completely left out of City's Premier League squad this season.

News of Ireland's row has already come back to these shores - and interested clubs are now looking to make their move and get the player dubbed 'Superman' by the fans.

Ireland has seen his place in City's first team go from guaranteed to under threat in the past 12 months and the new arrivals have only stretched his patience more.

However the crunch came after Ireland was dragged off after an hour of the Sporting setback and insiders say Mancini gave him a dressing down that left the pair's relationship on the rocks.

The threat that Ireland would not be in the Premier League squad list, which will be named shortly, seems odd as he is a home-grown player and would qualify on those grounds.

But the angry words point towards Ireland leaving sooner rather than later. Sunderland are interested in him but not at the £10million asking price.