Watch Manchester City v Sunderland Live Streaming

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes a number of his players can learn from the shining example set by Stephen Ireland.City midfielder Ireland has been in inspirational form this season after putting the controversies of recent years behind him to concentrate on his football. 

The 22-year-old Irishman made more headlines off the field than on last season, most infamously after telling a white lie about the death of a grandmother. 

Now those problems seem to be in the past and Ireland was again superb as City secured a place in the last eight of the UEFA Cup in Aalborg on Thursday. 

"He is having an outstanding season," said Hughes. "We keep mentioning the season he is having but he is a guy that has a real drive and determination to have an impact on every game he plays. 

"He is prepared to stand up and be counted and put a shift in for the team.