Hughes out to seize cup chance

24 September 2009 16:51
Mark Hughes has vowed to keep selecting strong sides for the Carling Cup as he believes Manchester City have a 'real opportunity' to win the competition. City were made to scrap for a 2-1 victory after extra time against Fulham on Wednesday night, with captain Kolo Toure netting the crucial goal. Hughes is determined to bring silverware to the club and has identified the Carling Cup as possibly the likeliest avenue for success, although he recognises that other Premier League clubs will be thinking along the same lines. "We will keep putting out strong sides," he said. "We had a decent crowd in and it is important we show respect to them and to the competition. "There are a number of Premier League sides in the next round and this cup has taken on great significance in recent times. "Maybe it is one of those that clubs feel is winnable as the title is out of reach to all but a select few. "You have to make the most of the competitions you are in and maybe we have a real opportunity to win it." Bellamy Hughes also explained that he decided not to rest Craig Bellamy because City do not play their next game until Monday night against West Ham. "My only concern is that given Craig's injury history I am reluctant to play him in three games in a week," Hughes said. "It is the only the fact we are playing on Monday that I was able to play him. We hope everyone recovers by then and the two extra days makes all the difference."

Source: SKY_Sports