Nigel de Jong says he does not regret his horror challenge on Spain’s Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.

The Manchester City midfielder caught Alonso in the chest with a high tackle in the showpiece game in South Africa, an offence for which referee Howard Webb has since admitted he should have sent him off.

However, De Jong is quoted in the Sunday Mirror as saying: “I don’t regret anything. I never intended to hurt him.

“And after such a great World Cup I came back to the dressing room of Manchester City as a different player. Well, that’s how it felt.

“I had just played in the final of the World Cup. It gives you a different status.

“The lads at City said they were impressed with the Dutch team’s performances out there in South Africa. That was really nice.”

De Jong is the subject of one of bet365′s special markets. Will Howard Webb have cause to send off the Dutchman the next time they share a pitch?

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is hoping that his side can continue their recent run of impressive results against the Premier League’s top clubs.

The Black Cats defeated Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham on their own patch last season, and have already beaten Manchester City at the Stadium of Light this term.

Sunderland’s next outing is a lower-profile clash against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday 11th September. Full Time Result betting has Wigan at (2.30), with Sunderland (2.87) and the draw (3.25).

However, after that trip they face successive league games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United where Bruce is hoping to continue their impressive record.

He said: “The fixtures are difficult, but that is the Premier League.

“Going into the end of the month, we know there is a run of fixtures – but we had them last year.

“We had a run of fixtures where we thought, ‘Oh, I don’t fancy that’, Liverpool and Arsenal at home back-to-back.

“But we beat them both – and went to Wigan, Birmingham and Burnley and lost.

“You can never call it, but certainly, the big teams brought out the best in us.”

Sunderland are 8.50 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11.

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Wayne Bridge has targeted Manchester City’s home match with Blackburn on 11th September to make his first appearance of the season.

The defender has been out of action since pre-season with a broken foot.

The injury is not yet completely healed, but Bridge is starting to feel more confident about applying some pressure and is hoping to be available for the visit of Rovers after the international break.

Full Time Result betting has City fancied at 1.28 to win the match, while Blackburn are 8.50 and the draw 5.00.

“It has been frustrating because it is one of those where you have to wait in case the fracture gets worse,” Bridge told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“But the injury has seemed a lot better over the past few days and I should be back in training either some time this week or next.

“I have been working hard doing bike work, rowing and a bit of boxing, so I feel fit.

“Hopefully I can slot back in and not find training too hard when I get back then it will be fingers crossed for Blackburn.”

Although new signing Aleksander Kolarov is currently out of action, Bridge will still face competition from a former international team-mate in Joleon Lescott when he is battling for a place in Roberto Mancini’s starting line-up.

It is part of a strength in depth that is unmatched in the Premier League.

“We have an even stronger squad now,” said Bridge.

“It’s a great squad. You need a squad this size if you’re going to compete for everything you go for.”

Manchester City are 9.00 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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James Milner expects a tough game at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as big spending Manchester City travel to Sunderland.

The former Aston Villa midfielder enjoyed a memorable debut on Monday as his new team secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

The north-east is always a tough place to go and they create a great atmosphere.

James Milner

Full Time Result betting for tomorrow’s clash has Sunderland at 4.50, with Man City 1.83 and the draw 3.50.

Milner played for Newcastle earlier in his career, and he believes that City will be in for a different kind of challenge when they travel to Wearside.

He said: “Steve Bruce always has his teams settled very well. He is a good manager and they had good spells last season.

“The north-east is always a tough place to go and they create a great atmosphere. It is a very good place to play football.

“It is up to us to get on top of them early in the game because if they start well and get a goal in front with the crowd behind them it can be tough.

“Hopefully we can get out of the blocks quickly, put in a good performance and get the right result.”

Milner can be backed at 3.40 to score at any time during the match with Sunderland.

City manager Roberto Mancini is pleased with the way his expensively-assembled side is developing, and he wants them to be easy on the eye.

He said: “It is important we play football – no long balls but on the floor, shifting the ball quickly. The players I have brought in need to fit the style I want to bring here.

“I have followed all the players I bought many times and know they all have good mentality.

“If we think that because we beat Liverpool that Sunderland will be easy, it would be a big mistake.

“In the Premier League every game is difficult. If you don’t play Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea, it is even more difficult, for me.”

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Emmanuel Adebayor has indicated that he may have to leave Manchester City if he is not given first-team football this season.

The former Arsenal striker returned to the starting line-up for the Europa League win over Timisoara last night.

However, he has been on the bench for City’s first two Premier League matches and he could well find himself there again when they visit Sunderland on Sunday.

Full Time Result betting has Sunderland at 4.50 to get the win, while Man City are 1.83 and the draw is 3.50.

Should Adebayor leave before the close of the transfer window he would join high profile names like Craig Bellamy, who has joined Cardiff, and Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz who also look set to move.

The striker told talkSPORT he is facing a big decision about his future plans.

He said: “The season is going to be very long and very difficult for myself. I’m a footballer and have to keep going and not give up. I need to keep fighting for myself and enjoying my football.

“If you’re in a team and you’re not playing, and there is a team that comes in for me, then I will definitely be on my way out because I’m a footballer and I love playing.

“So if I don’t have a chance to play here there will be a lot of chance to play somewhere else. If they (Manchester City) force you out then you always have to follow your destiny.”

Manchester City are 7.50 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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