Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has heaped praise on the great work of Jim Cassell and his Academy staff.

He told City's website: "It's been a positive surprise. Some of them, like Micah Richards, I knew a little bit about before. But there's the likes of Johnson, Ireland, Onuoha and Logan, he's not played in the full first team but will play during the year, I'm quite sure of it.

"I've said it before and can say it again, the Academy has done great, great work for the Club.

"I think it's important and a cheaper way to have good football players if you can educate them from a young age."