I BEGGED ACUN TO SIGN JOE

JAKIROVIC REVEALS SUMMER GELHARDT DISCUSSIONS WITH CITY OWNER ILICALI

- By BARRY COOPER

SERGEJ Jakirovic has revealed how he begged Acun Ilicali to do everything he could to sign Joe Gelhardt in the summer from Leeds United.

City, who first signed Gelhardt on loan in January, were able to strike a deal with the Whites to bring the former Wigan Athletic youngster back to the MKM Stadium, despite their transfer restrictions.

Since coming back to a place he now calls home, Gelhardt has been repaying the faith both Ilicali and Jakirovic showed in him by scoring crucial goals to help City off to a stunning start to the new campaign.

The 23-year-old made it seven for the season when his deft chip from Charlie Hughes' pinpoint pass won the game against Portsmouth, on a day where he also claimed an assist for Kyle Joseph's header and he'll hope to keep that form going when City return to action on Saturday at QPR.