Source: Eurosport
Hughes Eyes Euro Berth
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists they can re-claim a place in Europe next season through their league position.
However he believes it is imperative they defeat Fulham on Sunday and stretch their 100% home league record to seven matches.
City are aiming to bounce back after losing 3-1 to Hamburg in the first leg match of the UEFA Cup quarter-final in midweek.
With the return against the Bundesliga high-fliers scheduled for Thursday, next week is a big week for a club with lofty ambitions.
Hughes said: "We are still very much in the mix for the chase for the Europa League places and Sunday is a very important game in that regard.
"We will be looking to continue our cracking home form that has seen us win six times in succession.
"Preparation will not be easy because of the quick turn around and the fact that I am asking the same players to perform week in week out.
"I have to play them because we want the right quality on the pitch. At times our busy schedule compromises us. Some of the guys who didn't play in Hamburg will come to the fore tomorrow."
Striker Craig Bellamy looks certain to miss the next two games after suffering a re-currence of a knee injury.
Benjani Mwaruwari also looks likely to be sidelined for a spell as he ruptured his thigh muscle again.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle) and Vincent Kompany (hamstring) are doubtful through injury but Nigel de Jong is available again after being ineligible for the Cup tie.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland says it is time for everyone to stand up and be counted.
Ireland opened the scoring in Germany after 35 seconds but that only prompted Hamburg to launch an onslaught that led to a comfortable victory.
He said: "We need to get back on track in a really important game against Fulham which could go towards deciding whether we finish seventh or not.
"We have to be a bit braver than we were against Hamburg. Some people were hiding.
"When our backs were against the wall some people were not brave enough to fight. We have to look at that and start doing it next week."
