Craig Bellamy blow leaves Manchester City chronically short of firepower

03 March 2009 23:10
Losing the Wales international, who has scored five times in his past seven games in a blistering start to his Eastlands career, is a major blow to Hughes's hopes of either winning the Uefa Cup or qualifying for its replacement, the Europa Cup, through the League. [LNB]The City manager admits he must now look to Felipe Caicedo, who has just one league goal for the club, teenager Ched Evans or long-term injury victim Valeri Bojinov, who has failed to finish a League game since arriving from Fiorentina in 2007. [LNB] Related ArticlesVilla are feeling the heat[LNB]Unhappy return for City boy Bellamy[LNB]Villa rue missed opportunity[LNB]O'Neill treats fans to dinner[LNB]'City want Terry for Robinho'[LNB]Benitez gives nothing away[LNB]"The best-case scenario is about two or three weeks but it could be up to six,'' Hughes said. ''Craig's come in, scored goals and had a major impact on how we play. [LNB]"We now have to hope someone steps up, but I've got two 19-year-olds in Caicedo and Evans, as well as Bojinov, who has never played in the Premier League."[LNB]Making sure the world's richest club are at least in Europe next season is central to Hughes's plans to revamp his squad. Failing to do so would make tempting more players of the quality of Robinho infinitely more difficult. [LNB]That challenge starts tonight without the Brazilian, who is likely to be out for a week with an ankle injury, but at least Hughes can take solace in the fact that, in Bojinov, the forgotten Bulgarian, he has a player with just as much raw talent. [LNB]Once dubbed the heir to Hristo Stoichkov, Bojinov made his debut for Italian side Lecce at just 15 but has seen his time in England ruined by cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon injuries. [LNB]Hughes said: "Technically, he's as good as anyone we've got at the club. It's too early for him to start but the injuries we have got make him more of an option. He's an unknown quantity but from what we've seen in training he can be an important player for us."[LNB]Hughes dismissed rumours that Robinho is set to join Chelsea at the end of the season as bait in a bid to tempt the west London club to part with captain John Terry. [LNB]Although Villa are looking to win their eighth consecutive league away game, pressure is building after losses to Chelsea and CSKA Moscow, and a draw against Stoke. [LNB]There is also the suspicion that this season offers their best chance to crack the big four. Next season the likes of City are expected to offer a significant challenge for Champions League football. [LNB]'I think that whatever hiccups they have had this season, they will rectify,' Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. 'They will have the strength in depth, the players. Who is to say Kaka won't join them in the summer? They will be major players next season.'[LNB] 

Source: Telegraph