Robinho has been warned by Manchester City's assistant boss Mark Bowen he has a fight on his hands to win a first-team place when he returns from injury.

The 25-year-old has been out with a stress fracture picked up in Brazil's 3-1 win over Argentina on 5 September and, in his absence, Craig Bellamy has scored four goals in four Premier League games.

Robinho, who cost City £32.5million, is set to miss the next two League matches against Wigan and Fulham, though the striker could return against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup fourth round on 28 October.

Bowen said: "Robi's no different from any other player - he'll be fighting for a place when he regains fitness.

"People might be asking how Robi is going to get back in given Craig's form, but things do change.

"Anybody who watches top-level football knows that is always the case now and we are no different."

There has been speculation in Spain that Barcelona will try to bring the former Real Madrid star back to La Liga in the January transfer window but Bowen added: "Robi is one of those players who will always be surrounded by rumour and speculation, it doesn't bother him."