Robinho's ankle has not recovered sufficiently for him to play in the friendly with England in Doha.

The Brazilian FA announced this afternoon that the Manchester City striker would not be taking part in the match because he is still not fully fit following his injury.

The decision will please City boss Mark Hughes who claimed that it would have been “foolhardy” for Robinho to face England.

Hughes had claimed at the start of the week that his record £32.5million signing would only be making a brief visit to the Brazilian training camp from City's HQ in Abu Dhabi, where they are on a training break.

The sight of Robinho playing virtually a full part in an extensive training session only further fuelled a feeling he was going to be involved even though he has spent two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained on international duty.

“He has had one training session in eight weeks,” said Hughes after his side's 1-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates.

“It would be foolhardy for him to play in either game.

“He is only there on the proviso that he does not play.”

The Brazilian FA have said they enjoy cordial relations with the Eastlands outfit and coach Dunga, who like Fabio Capello, will not see his players again until March, was only following precedent by calling on Robinho for the friendly in the first place.