The international break is beginning to sting now, with Robinho the latest big name to be struck down by injury. The Man City man was stretchered off in Brazil’s encounter with Columbia last night and will be an immediate doubt for Monday’s trip to Newcastle.

Robinho suffered the injury in the second half of the match and was seen clutching his thigh whilst being dramatically stretchered off. In all honesty however, the injury didn’t look that bad – although City will be waiting anxiously to get the player back at Eastlands so they can assess the damage…

Should Robinho fail to shake off the injury, Hughes has an able replacement on the left in the shape of Martin Petov, although he also picked up a knock in Bulgaria’s game with Georgia and was subbed on 30 minutes.

Even with Petrov available, it must be said that they are very different players – Petrov is out-and-out winger and it will be interesting to see if Hughes can make that work in his current formation that sees Robinho and Wright-Phillips tucking inside on the left and right of Jo up front.