STEPHEN Ireland believes that foreigners enhance English football and points to the City dressing room as a case in point.

The Republic of Ireland international, himself considered an import by FIFA despite coming through the Blues much-vaunted Academy system, reckons that everyone benefits from the mix of styles and culture.

New boss Sven-Goran Eriksson brought in eight new players in the summer, none of them British passport holders and then amazed the footballing world by gelling them so quickly that they are third in the table after eight straight home wins.

Ireland, Michael Johnson, Michael Ball, Richard Dunne, Nedum Onuoha, Darius Vassell, Micah Richards and Joe Hart are all English speakers who are regularly involved in the squad, proving that talent will shine through no matter how many strange languages frequent the training ground.

And Eriksson has not forgotten the homegrown kids either with Wales' Ched Evans, Kelvin Etuhu and Shaleum Logan all having tasted first team action this season.

It is a potent blend that has dressing room approval at City.

"It may be different at other clubs but here the mix of styles and cultures works very well," said Ireland, who has scored the winning goal in the last two home matches.

"The manager here has brought in quality players from all over the place and we all learn from one another whether it be technique, ways of preparation or training methods.

Influence

"We have shown there is a great spirit and this club has always had a path to the first team for the youngsters and I know the new owner and manager are both keen on the Academy.

"No matter how diverse our dressing room, holding it all together is the skipper Richard Dunne, who is an amazing influence. He is a rock and a perfect captain bringing people together."

Eriksson was not about to argue with the 21-year-old midfielder and insisted that English football would continue to produce enough indigenous talent for the national team and that the issue of foreign players was not just confined to these shores.

"The Premier League does have enough good English players in it to make a successful team," he said.

"When you talk about foreigners, it is the same in Italy where they are world champions, and Spain.

"Look at Inter and AC Milan, there are not too many Italians in those teams.

"The good players like Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards will always come through."

Do you think City have the blend of foreign and home grown players right? Have your say.