Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City crock Robinho out for three more weeks, confirms Hughes
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed Robinho will be out of action for another three weeks.
The £32.5million British record signing has been out of action since damaging his ankle on international duty with Brazil earlier this month.
So far Robinho has missed four City games, including last night's 3-1 win over West Ham at Eastlands.
Now Hughes has revealed it will be the middle of next month before Blues supporters can expect to see the South American back in action.
'It is still in a pot, so he is not training, just doing work in the gym,' said the City chief. 'I would imagine it would be another two to three weeks.'
Not that Hughes' side are missing Robinho to any degree.
They swamped the Hammers with their slick attacking play, which allowed them to move into fifth spot with a match in hand over all their rivals.
Hammers old-boy Carlos Tevez did most of the damage, giving City a fifth-minute lead before nodding home Craig Bellamy's free-kick after an hour.
However, while Tevez's response was an almost apologetic wave of the hand against his old club, Martin Petrov made a point after drilling home a first-time free-kick, edging towards his manager before pointing to the name on his shirt.
Robinho
I think they're missing me: Robinho watches City from the stands
Robinho
Ankle trouble: Robinho has been out since injuring himself playing for Brazil
It could have been interpreted as a pointed show of frustration for a player whose proposed deadline-day move to Tottenham did not come off and has been forced to wait for his first start of the campaign.
Hughes preferred to look at it a different way.
'He does it all the time,' shrugged the Welshman.
'He was a really positive influence on the game, which is what we need. I don't want players who sit in the stand feeling sorry for themselves. They have to be ready to come on and perform.
'When opportunities present themselves, you have to be able to make an impact. That is what Martin did.'
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola was not happy at the end.
Although the Hammers have suffered financially over the past 12 months, the Italian feels they should be much higher in the league than their present position. And not even Carlton Cole's goal brought him any solace.
'I am angry,' he fumed. 'With myself and the team. I do not think anyone, including myself is giving, or doing, what they are capable of. It is as simple as that.
'I expect much more.'
