JC recalls City stunner

As the last player to score a West Ham United winner against Manchester City, Jack Collison is well-placed to offer his opinion on Saturday's clash with the Barclays Premier League champions.

The midfielder, who has joined Championship side Ipswich Town following his departure in the summer, produced an outstanding lob to secure a deserved victory over the Citizens in March 2009. Collison struck with a wonderfully-controlled finish after winger Savio's shot had been parried by goalkeeper Shay Given, sending the Boleyn Ground wild and lifting West Ham to seventh in the table.

Five-and-a-half years on and West Ham sit fourth going into Saturday's clash with second-placed City and the 26-year-old is predicting an exciting match.

"I remember that game and my goal well," he said, referring to that 1-0 win five-and-a-half years ago. "City had just started spending all their money, with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong and Robinho in their side. It was nice for me to help us to win the game by scoring the winner with a cheeky little lob over Shay Given!

"Looking at Saturday's game, City are a fantastic team but I think the way West Ham are playing, if they start the way they have done in recent matches they can do well. The manager will have the boys prepared well and they'll all be fired up.

"The boys will want to test themselves again and continue the run that they are on."

Collison himself joined Ipswich on a four-month deal in September and, having worked his way to fitness, is now awaiting his debut for the in-form Tractor Boys.

"It's not going too bad for me at the moment," said the midfielder. "The lads were on an eight-match unbeaten run before we lost at Cardiff in midweek. I have been getting my head down and got myself fit and I am ready to go now if the manager needs me.

"I played 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday and now I'm waiting for the call when he needs me. I might have to wait but I will be ready when needed. The boys have been doing well and we are holding a steady position in the league, so hopefully we'll bounce back against Huddersfield today.

"I am very grateful to Ipswich. They have given me an opportunity and now it's up to me to get my head down, work hard and get into the team and help the boys on the pitch."

Off the pitch, Collison is also working hard after starting a professional sports writing and broadcasting course in conjunction with Staffordshire University.

Having already appeared as a guest on Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 live, as well as West Ham TV, he is hoping to expand his skills on the other side of the camera.

With his young daughter celebrating her second birthday next week, these are exciting times in the Collison household.

"I am doing a course and I'm really enjoying it so far," he confirmed. "I like to keep myself  busy and the opportunity came up to do the journalism course. Broadcasting is something which interests me and I would like to say big thanks to the West Ham media team for helping me with fixing up some work placements."

Finally, Collison has also joined the growing band of footballers on Twitter. You can follow the Wales international @jcollison31