Hughes relishing Robinho return

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The Brazilian has been sidelined for over two months with a stress fracture of his ankle. During this spell Robinho has been constantly linked with a move to Barcelona but Hughes is relaxed about the situation.

"The only problem is that he is not fit and I cannot play him," said Hughes ahead of City's Carling Cup match against Scunthorpe. "That will resolve itself, we hope, in the next week or so. It is about him getting back playing and enjoying his football again. And that takes away any other focus on Robi."

Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov will sit out the fourth round match through injury but Hughes is intent on playing a strong team.

He said: "There is no reason why we cannot do well in the competition and that is what we are aiming to do.

"I have picked strong teams and squads for it in the past. My intention for this game is to do exactly the same.

"We hope to do well in the domestic cups if we can. The Premier League is a huge ask for anybody to overcome some of the best teams, not only in Europe, but the world.

"That's the challenge every club in the Premier League has if they are to aspire to the top title."