Hughes: Ireland must be patient

MANCHESTER CITY boss Mark Hughes has urged Stephen Ireland to be patient following a period of frustration for the midfield star.

Ireland was City’s player of the year last season, scoring 13 goals in a vibrant campaign which resulted in him being rewarded with a new five-year contract at the end of May.

Ireland started the first seven matches of this season, only to contract a sickness bug which forced him out of the 3-1 home win over West Ham at the end of September.