Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has urged Stephen Ireland to be patient following a period of frustration for the midfielder.

Ireland was City's player of the year last season, scoring 13 goals in a vibrant campaign which resulted in him being rewarded with a new five-year contract at the end of May.

As a pivotal player in Hughes' team, Ireland started the first seven matches of this season, only to contract a sickness bug which forced him out of the 3-1 home win over West Ham at the end of September.

Ireland had to be taken off in the previous game with Fulham after complaining of dizziness, only for hospital tests to show he was suffering with nothing more than tiredness.

In pairing Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong together at the heart of the midfield, the duo have been inseparable since, restricting 23-year-old Ireland to cameo roles off the bench in the last four league matches.

Hughes can appreciate Ireland's situation, but is adamant he has no concerns over the player, and that his time will come again.

The manager said: "We've changed the shape of the team.

"For the majority of the season last year we played 4-3-3, but we have changed to a 4-4-2 more often than not this year.

"Nigel and Gareth became a pair when Stephen went out of the team, did well, so Stephen has found it a little difficult to get back in.

"It's not really a reflection on how he is playing because he is doing exceptionally well in training games, or whatever.

"So on a daily basis he is getting back to where he knows he is comfortable with, and he is a great option for us.

"It's about him being patient and biding his time and he will get opportunities, he knows that.

"He is too good a player to keep out of the team for too long."

Ireland is almost certain to be on the bench again for Saturday's Premier League visit of Burnley to Eastlands as City look to end a run of four successive draws.

Unlike their title rivals City have an advantage this season of not being involved in potentially draining midweek European matches.

Hughes can feel the benefit as his squad continues to settle in the wake of his summer spending spree, even if the results of late have not borne that out.

He continued: "I said at the beginning of the season it would be advantageous not to be in Europe.

"We knew from our efforts in Europe last year that we found it very difficult to challenge on all fronts we were involved in.

"The disappointment of not being in Europe was there at the start of the season, but I think there was a realisation that it's no bad thing for us.

"We're a team that's coming together, and there are lots of things that have to fall into place to allow us to develop and progress as a team.

"Maybe European football could have been a distraction. You can't say it would have been the case.

"The view was we needed to focus on the league and the domestic competitions, and then have the benefit of free weeks leading into games, which we didn't have last year.

"We're enjoying it, but for one season only."

Although City currently occupy a Champions League place at present, their run of draws has seen them slip eight points behind leaders Chelsea.

Hughes admits to being a "little bit frustrated" of late, but knows his side have the perfect opportunity to arrest that on Saturday.

Burnley have lost all five away games in the league since their promotion, conceding 17 goals en route.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure should return after missing Sunday's goalless draw at Birmingham with ankle and heel injuries respectively.

Left-back Wayne Bridge and striker Roque Santa Cruz are doubtful and rated as 50-50 by Hughes with knee and ankle problems.