Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has praised management for having the club's reserves travel with them on UEFA Cup trips this season.

Glyn Hodges' table-topping reserves broke new ground by jetting over with the seniors to play friendlies against their counterparts at Schalke and Santander.

Ireland told City's website: "It's been great for the youngsters to come over, not just to play a match themselves but to see what's going on and watch how the senior players prepare for a European tie.

"They're a good bunch of lads and they've had a taste of what it's like. When I was at the Academy we didn't get that chance, but it's good experience - it will help them to learn and hopefully make them hungrier to kick on."