Manchester City academy boss Jim Cassell has assured fans that local talent will not be ignored.

"We are working as hard as ever recruiting the younger age groups from Manchester and the north west," he stressed to the Manchester Evening News.

"The local kids have been the heart and soul of the club and we aim for that to continue. All systems are go in that respect and the new found wealth does not change that.

"Mark Hughes has assured us he wants us to continue producing local talent. He understands how difficult it is and will give us all the support he can.

"Of course we can now afford to bring in 16 and 17 year-olds from all over the world. We are not stupid and will take advantage of that but at the same time we will carry on producing local kids for the first team and a career in football."