Stephen Ireland: I thought I was going to die after Fulham collapse

Stephen Ireland has revealed how he thought he was going to die when he was taken ill during a Carling Cup tie.

The Manchester City midfielder was rushed to hospital after complaining of feeling dizzy and unwell during the 3rd Round win over Fulham.

Ireland, 23, spent the night in hospital and underwent a series of emergency tests, but was later released when no major problems were detected.

But City's current Player of the Year admitted he thought he was close to death when he started to feel unwell 15 minutes before the end of the 2-1 win over the Londoners.

"It was a bit of a strange scare for me," said Ireland. "Thankfully it wasn't too serious, because at the time I thought that was the end of me.

"But I don't even know what it was. I've had every test there is and still don't know what it was.

Ireland returned to action just 12 days after his health scare but has been unable to recapture the form that saw him crowned City's best performer last season.

He has not completed a full 90 minutes since his mystery illness, or started a Premier League game, but he is in contention to start against Burnley on Saturday.

Despite losing his status as an automatic first choice, Ireland claimed the new arrivals had given City a realistic chance of ending their long wait for silverware.

"Everyone has settled in well," said Ireland. "We've almost got a brand new squad but we've clicked really well.

"We've got to get on with it if we want to achieve things and we want to win things this year.

"So either we blend quickly or we don't get the chance to win trophies and that's the last thing we want at City because the spotlight is on us. Personally I was really happy with every player we brought in during the summer.

"All the players that we signed were the players I would have signed if I was the manager because I rate them all so highly."