Ireland: new boys have put pressure on squad

MANCHESTER City midfielder Stephen Ireland admits manager Mark Hughes’ summer recruitment drive has increased the pressure on existing members of the squad.

England midfielder Gareth Barry and striker Roque Santa Cruz have already moved to Eastlands and others are set to follow.

City are expected to win the race to sign former United forward Carlos Tevez and Hughes has not given up hope of luring Samuel Eto’o from Barcelona. It all adds up to City starting next season away at Blackburn on August 15 in a stronger position than they finished the last campaign.