City head out to Cyprus on Wednesday to prepare for the UEFA Cup tie against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night.

Then Hughes' side return to Barclays Premier League business on Sunday when they take on Portsmouth followed by a Carling Cup match next Wednesday at League One Brighton and Hove Albion.

Record £32.5million signing Robinho made his debut in the defeat by Chelsea at the weekend but whether he will play a full match against Omonia remains to be seen.

The former Real Madrid striker finished the encounter exhausted as he had been on international duty for Brazil in midweek.

New signings Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta are also eligible for the European match as they were recruited in the summer transfer window.

groin problem

Hughes, however, will monitor the fitness of Martin Petrov, who has a knee injury, and that of Michael Johnson, who last night signed a new five-year contract with the club but could miss out in Cyprus because of a groin problem.

The City manager admits he faces a selection dilemma and the club's official website: "The games are coming thick and fast at the moment and I have to be mindful of that.

"We will have to use the squad because it's a big ask going into European games, Carling Cup games and some very difficult Premier League games.

"If we have to use all of the squad then we will do, but that is what being a Premier League footballer is all about.

"You have to keep raising your level and make sure that you are ready to go every time there's a game."

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