Milner on verge of Man City switch as Bellamy heads 'home'

Stephen Ireland is due to go the other way while Wales striker Craig Bellamy has stepped down a division to join hometown team Cardiff on a season-long loan.

They may not be the last two out of Eastlands' revolving door as goalkeeper Shay Given – unhappy at losing his place to Joe Hart – could also be leaving.

Manager Roberto Mancini hopes to sign former Leeds United striker Milner by today at the latest.

He said: "I hope we can close it between today and tomorrow. I think Milner is a good player, an English player – which is important. I think he can play in different positions."

Asked if the deal would involve Ireland, Mancini added: "I hope so. We have today and tomorrow to close the deal."

Like Ireland, Given has been marginalised and Hart responded with an outstanding display to keep a clean sheet in the draw against Tottenham.

Mancini said: "I hope he (Given) will stay with us because we are in four competitions. But I respect his wishes if he wants to leave."

Bellamy insisted he had gone "home" with his move to Cardiff and said there were no hard feelings about his departure from City.

There had been speculation about the striker's future since he revealed ahead of Wales' match against Luxembourg last week he was not going to be included in City's 25-man Premier League squad.

After it was confirmed Bellamy will drop down to the npower Championship on a season-long loan, he said: "Nothing's difficult about this. I had the greatest time at Manchester City at a great period in their history.

"I was bought to take the club on to the next stage and I feel I played a big part in doing that. The players they're signing are incredible.

"The next couple of years I'm sure they'll get the Premier League title, and I hope they do."

Despite the capture of Bellamy – a plum signing at Championship level – Cardiff may have more pressing problems off the field after it was revealed Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell are considering issuing a winding-up order against them.

The action would be to try to recoup a 175,000 debt owed by the Welsh club.

Cardiff failed to pay Motherwell 100,000 due in January for the transfer of right-back Paul Quinn and a further 75,000 summer payment has also not been forthcoming.

Motherwell issued a writ against Cardiff at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday but revealed in a statement that City did not attend or submit a defence.

Fir Park chief executive Leann Dempster said in a statement: "We have given Cardiff every chance to do the right thing."