Robinho risks another row with Manchester City

Robinho has risked a row with Manchester City by staying with Brazil instead of rejoining his club team-mates.

His troubled relationship with City boss Mark Hughes was placed under more strain after being allowed to make the 40-minute flight from their training base in Abu Dhabi to have his injured ankle assessed by the Brazil team doctor.

The club was adamant their £32.5m forward would return yesterday in time to attend last night's match between City and the United Arab Emirates.

Instead, Robinho not only trained with Brazil at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club ground here but team officials suggested he might yet play a part either in tomorrow's friendly against England or in Brazil's match against Oman on Wednesday.

"Robinho will train today doing the same exercises as the other players but on the sideline," Brazil team spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said.

"Whether he'll play this game or next week is something that we are taking day by day. He'll be assessed again tomorrow.

"We know City want him with them but the situation for us is that we have only three games before the World Cup so we need Robinho here.

"This is a chance for the coach to talk to the players, to create the ambience, to discuss preparations for next summer. We need him with us. We don't need permission from City to play him but we will keep talking to them."

The prospect of Robinho playing for Brazil in the next few days is sure to fill City with horror. He has been injured since September and recent reports that he is courting a move to Barcelona have created tension in the City camp.

City had been hoping Robinho would fly back to Manchester with them today and have an outside chance of playing a part in next weekend's crunch clash with Liverpool but those hopes have been dashed.