Roque Santa Cruz has urged Manchester City team-mate Stephen Ireland not to turn his back on the Eastlands club amid mounting speculation over the midfielder's future.
Ireland has struggled to find his way into the plans of City manager Roberto Martinez following the Italian's arrival midway through last season.
The 23-year-old is just 12 months into a lucrative five-year deal at City but is reportedly eyeing an exit after failing to reproduce the sparkling form he showed during the 2008/09 campaign.
However, Paraguay international Santa Cruz believes Ireland still has much to offer the Premier League club, despite the expected influx of new players this summer.
"He is a very nice guy and a fantastic player also, so I think everybody at the club would be very disappointed to see him leaving. He is a great talent,'' said Santa Cruz.
"This season has been hard for him, not finding a starting place in the team, but it is always going to be hard when you are at a team that is always getting new players who start all the time. It is very hard for everyone.''
Meanwhile, City midfielder Nigel de Jong has urged the club to sign his international team-mate, Ajax's Gregory van der Wiel.
"I know that Greg is on our wanted list at Manchester City," De Jong told the Daily Star. "I have pleaded with them to sign him, as we could use a good right back. The tempo of English football will make him stronger still and I've recommended him to City's management."
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