Source: Eurosport
Hughes' High Hopes For Robinho
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is hoping Robinho can hit the goal trail again now the threat of legal action against his star striker has been lifted.
The £32.5million forward was informed on Monday night he will face no action over the allegations of sexual assault that were made against him in January.
Robinho always protested his innocence, and West Yorkshire Police have now confirmed the matter has been dropped.
It leaves the Brazilian free to concentrate on giving City an end-of-season push towards glory in the UEFA Cup, where they tackle Hamburg in Thursday's quarter-final first-leg.
Having enjoyed a remarkable start to his Premier League career, Robinho has struggled since the turn of the year.
The former Real Madrid star has not found the net once in 2009.
Hughes, speaking at coaching and signing session on behalf of Premier League sponsors Barclays, does not entirely feel the barren spell is down to Robinho's off-field problems. However, he is now looking for an improvement from his record signing.
"We knew there was no substance to the allegations, and now it has been put to bed," he said.
"But certainly those things can affect players.
"They are not nice, and it has not been easy for him. But it is out of the way now.
"I actually think the fact he has not scored is more to do with the opposition recognising what a talent he is and trying to find ways of stopping him.
"There have been games when he has not scored but has still created chances for other people."
Hughes certainly believes the criticism levelled at Robinho with increasing ferocity this season in unfair.
While recognising the striker's price tag is bound to attract attention, the City boss feels Robinho has been no more culpable than anyone else for his side's failure to record a Premier League away win since August.
"He gets a little bit too much criticism for his away performances," said Hughes.
"I accept some of them have not been good, but he is not alone in that. He is high profile, and it is easy to pinpoint him."
Hughes' personal appearance alongside goalkeeper Shay Given was a welcome break from the intensity of preparing to face Hamburg.
The pair answered a series of questions from local children - Hughes revealing his boyhood heroes were Chelsea and his favourite goals came for Wales in a victory over Spain in 1985, while Given could not bring himself to admit admiration for any goal he has conceded.
However, the serious business began again as soon as Hughes left City's academy base at Platt Lane - the Welshman happy to reveal Martin Petrov will be in his squad to face Hamburg, having come through a reserve team outing at Newcastle last night.
"The plan was to give him 45 minutes," said Hughes.
"He came through that and looked impressive.
"You forget what quality he can produce, and he looked in good nick.
"He was blowing a bit, which is fairly obvious given how long he has been out. But he is an option for us."
Wayne Bridge, Benjani Waruwari and Stephen Ireland will all travel to Germany - although the latter seems highly unlikely to figure, after sustaining a freak ankle injury in training last week.
At least having Petrov back offers Hughes another option.
The Bulgarian has been limited to just eight appearances this season after first sustaining a hamstring injury, then a cruciate knee ligament injury on international duty that required an autumn operation.
"When I came in as manager, the fact that Martin was available to me was a big plus," said Hughes.
"I had watched him from afar the year before and saw the quality he could produce. The opportunity to work with him was something I was looking forward to.
"Unfortunately we lost him very quickly, which was a big blow to us.
"When you see what he can produce you can see what we have lacked on occasion this season."
