Saluting Stephen: Hughes tells City players to shape up like in-form Ireland

21 March 2009 10:32
Manchester City[LNB]boss Mark Hughes believes a number of his players can learn from the new Stephen Ireland. [LNB]City midfielder Ireland has been in inspirational form this season after putting the controversies of recent years behind him to concentrate on his football. [LNB]The 22-year-old Irishman made more headlines off the field than on last season, most infamously after telling a white lie about the death of a grandmother. [LNB] Thumbs up: Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has saluted the 'outstanding' Stephen Ireland's transformation on and off the pitch this season[LNB]Now those problems seem to be in the past and Ireland was againsuperb as City secured a place in the last eight of the UEFA Cup inAalborg on Thursday. [LNB]'He is having an outstanding season,' said Hughes.[LNB]'Wekeep mentioning the season he is having but he is a guy that has a realdrive and determination to have an impact on every game he plays. [LNB]'He is prepared to stand up and be counted and put a shift in for the team. [LNB] Manchester City's tough Hamburg test suits Ireland[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY v Sunderland: Hughes' injury list grows after European drama [LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] 'Ithink he is an example to every one of the players in the squad. [LNB]'Hemade a decision at the end of last season that he wasn't happy with theway his career was going. He made a conscious effort to do somethingabout it. [LNB]'Because of the work that he has done and the worksome of the coaches have put in, it has enabled him to become a betterplayer. Everyone can learn from his example.' [LNB]Ireland is hopingto overcome an ankle injury to keep his place in the City side to faceSunderland[LNB]in a crucial Premier League encounter at Eastlandstomorrow (Sunday). [LNB]In another of his least finest moments,Ireland, who was strongly linked with Sunderland last summer, droppedhis shorts to reveal a pair of Superman underpants after scoring in thecorresponding fixture last season. [LNB]Back in the frame: Craig Bellamy could return for City[LNB]Wayne Bridge and VincentKompany, with hamstring and toe problems respectively, are doubtful forthe game but Nigel de Jong has overcome a virus. [LNB]Striker Craig Bellamy could also return after making a quicker than expected recovery from a knee injury. [LNB]Both sides will be anxious for victory to avoid being pulled further into the relegation scrap. [LNB]Sunderland go into the game three points behind City in the table. [LNB]Hughes said: 'They are in a situation they want to get out of very quickly. [LNB]'Theyhave had a change at the top and (manager) Ricky Sbragia, who is awell-respected guy in football circles, has come in and done a good jobof settling things down. [LNB]'It's a good game for us. We're goingin on the back of our exploits in Europe and maybe a little bit offreshness could be taken from us, but I don't sense that. The elationof getting through will compensate for that.'[LNB] Manchester City's tough Hamburg test suits Ireland[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY v Sunderland: Hughes' injury list grows after European drama [LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail