City boss Hughes gets ready to cut loose around ten surplus players from Eastlands

25 June 2009 13:19
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will point a number of his current squad towards the exit door this summer. Joe Hart yesterday became the first to leave Eastlands when he joined Premier League new boys Birmingham City on a season-long loan. But with a number of players expected to join big-money signings Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry at City, Hughes will have to let a few go. Brazil striker Jo - a £19m signing from CSKA Moscow a year ago - spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton and is not expected to add to his three City goals. Jo could yet return to Everton and might play a part in Joleon Lescott's proposed transfer to Eastlands while Hughes has not given up hope of signing Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o. It all adds up to a lot of departures. Hughes has already turned down a bid of a little more than £1m for 20-year-old Wales international Ched Evans from Sheffield United but may yet be tempted to sell if anyone doubled that amount. Youngster Daniel Sturridge has gone to Chelsea, while former England international Darius Vassell will not be offered a new deal when his contract expires next week and is interesting Hull City. Hughes is also likely to listen to offers for experienced Zimbabwe international Benjani, who has struggled with injury since making the switch from Portsmouth 18 months ago. Less clear is the long-term future of Felipe Caicedo who hit six goals last season following his £5m move from Basle - Sporting Lisbon and a number of Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the 20-year-old Ecuadorian international. And defender Richard Dunne is another possibly on the move with Stoke City ready to make a bid.

Source: Daily_Mail