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.

Ireland had to be taken off in the previous game with Fulham after complaining of dizziness, only for hospital tests to show he was suffering with nothing more than tiredness.

In pairing Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong at the heart of the midfield, the duo have restricted 23-year-old Ireland to cameo roles off the bench in the last four league matches.

Hughes appreciates Ireland’s situation, but is adamant he has no concerns over the player, and his time will come. The manager said: “We’ve changed the shape of the team. For the majority of the season last year we played 4-3-3, but we have changed to a 4-4-2 more often than not this year.

“Nigel and Gareth became a pair when Stephen went out of the team, did well, so Stephen has found it a little difficult to get back in. It’s not really a reflection on how he is playing because he is doing exceptionally well in training games, or whatever.

“So on a daily basis he is getting back to where he knows he is comfortable, and he is a great option for us.

“It’s about him being patient and biding his time and he will get opportunities, he knows that.

“He is too good a player to keep out of the team for too long.”

Ireland is almost certain to be on the bench again for today’s Premier League visit of Burnley to Eastlands as City look to end a run of four draws. Although City currently occupy a Champions League place, their run of draws has seen them slip eight points behind leaders Chelsea.

Hughes admits to being a “little bit frustrated” of late, but knows his side have the perfect opportunity to arrest that today.

Burnley have lost all five away games in the league since their promotion, conceding 17 goals en route.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure should return after missing last Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Birmingham. Left-back Wayne Bridge and striker Roque Santa Cruz are doubtful and rated as 50-50 by Hughes with knee and ankle problems.