MICHAEL Ball is set to sign a new contract this week with praise from Stuart Pearce after apologising for his derby day stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo.

The City full-back has accepted an FA charge of violent conduct and a three-match ban for his challenge on the United winger in the early stages of Saturday's match at Eastlands.

Ball publicly expressed his regret at the stamp, and has also sent a personal apology to Ronaldo.

The challenge was a rare black mark for the 27-year-old, who has impressed on the left side of defence since arriving on a short-term deal from PSV Eindhoven in January.

Ball has done enough to win a new contract at Eastlands, and even though he will now miss the start of next season, Pearce believes the left-back has been a shining light since his arrival.

The City manager also hopes that Ball's apology will see the matter put to bed.

"What happened was that he probably got a little caught up in the derby atmosphere at the weekend," Pearce said.

"He was honest and genuine enough to step forward and say: `I was out of order.' He's put an apology in to the player, and I hope it's received in the right manner by Cristiano.

Apology

"We hope to move on from that, as we've always done. We let the authorities deal with any problems, whether on the pitch or with the Football Association. We've done the same again." Ball made clear in his apology that he is proud of his disciplinary record, having never been sent off in a career that began at Everton a decade ago.

"Credit to Michael, he's been fantastic since he's been with us, and earned himself a new contract which we're hoping he'll sign this week," Pearce said.

Pearce was speaking at the opening of the new Sporting Edge community sports site in Openshaw.

The site includes a new artificial pitch with floodlights and a refurbished sports hall, and will provide a range of activities for the community, including football, basketball, lacrosse, netball and rugby.

It has been funded by a £550,000 grant from Barclays Bank and the Football Foundation, plus £551,000 for East Manchester's New Deal for Communities programme and the European Regional Development Fund.

"Sport has given me a great opportunity in life, and I hope this facility will give some youngsters their chance as well," Pearce said.

Pearce has already started making plans for next season, despite the uncertainty over his own future and the fact that there is still one game to go at Tottenham on Sunday.

Trevor Sinclair, DaMarcus Beasley and Hatem Trabelsi are all set to leave the club, while Pearce also has the job of telling some of the club's Academy hopefuls that their future lies elsewhere.

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