Soccer:Martin Petrov was included in the starting XI for the first time this season after Stephen Ireland was ruled out of Manchester City's clash with West Ham.

Ireland picked up an illness late last week and did not recover in time as City looked to force their way into the Premier League’s top four with £17million striker Roque Santa Cruz on the bench for the first time.

England striker Carlton Cole returned for the Hammers, who slid into the bottom three over the weekend, while Matthew Upson was ruled out with a minor calf injury.