Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has praised Stephen Ireland for the work he's put in this season.

In his match programme notes, Hughes wrote: "Stephen Ireland was outstanding and turned in the kind of performance that rightly saw him win the first Thomas Cook Player of the Month award for the season. He has put in some fantastic performances and the recognition is just reward and a welcome boost for Stephen.

"The coaching staff, while they do an incredible job, cannot take the credit for the condition he is in because he worked so hard during the summer and returned to pre-season with a real determination to show that he wanted to be part of what we are doing. He has worked exceptionally hard from day one and is reaping the benefits now as are we."