Hughes: We must play without Ade

28 September 2009 07:33
Mark Hughes is not too worried about being without Emmanuel Adebayor against West Ham on Monday because his Manchester City players need to get used to it. Adebayor will complete the final match of a three-match suspension picked up for his facial attack on Arsenal's Robin van Persie. "Ade has been a big part of the start that we have been able to achieve," said the City boss. "But at times during the season, certainly when he is on international duty next year, we will have to go into games without him. We may as well get used to being without him and making sure we understand what we have to do when he is not around." The disciplinary problems are not over for the £25million striker either given he is still to face an improper conduct charge brought by the FA following the former Arsenal man's controversial goal celebration against his old club. Yet Hughes is looking much further forward, to the African Cup of Nations in January. If Togo demand Adebayor's release as soon as FIFA statutes allow and then go on to be successful in the competition, which will be played in Angola, the 25-year-old could be missing for an entire month. Hughes is delighted with the way his side have responded to being without Adebayor. Five goals in two games so far is a pretty good return, even though three of them came in that amazing defeat at Old Trafford last weekend.

Source: Eurosport