Hughes adamant over Robinho

Mark Hughes believes it would be "foolhardy" for Robinho to face England on Saturday.

Although at the start of the week Hughes claimed his record signing would only be making a brief visit to the Brazilian training camp from Manchester City's current HQ in Abu Dhabi, that was extended before confirmation on Thursday afternoon that Robinho would remain on international duty until after next Tuesday's friendly with Oman.

"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."

Before that, the Samba stars face England in Doha, with Robinho apparently in contention to play.

The possibility was not ruled out by sources close to the Brazilian camp on Thursday evening and 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.

The situation should become clearer on Friday, although, after over two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained on international duty, Robinho would be putting himself on a war footing with City if he did declare his fitness.

Whether Hughes' words have any impact remain to be seen.

Certainly City officials are getting tired of the same subject cropping up on a daily basis while they have been at their training camp, which otherwise has gone well.

For their part 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 this week.

Even if the controversial £32.5million star does not play, the likelihood is he would not be available to train with City until Thursday next week, giving him just two days to prove his fitness ahead of the November 21 meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.