Robinho can be a Manchester City star after Santos loan, insists Shay Given

Shay Given has backed Robinho to return to Manchester City a better player after the World Cup.The goalkeeper saw first hand how the forward has improved since moving to Santos, picking the ball out of the net when Robinho scored the sublime clincher in Brazil's 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night.The 26-year-old forward pleaded for a return home after a tough start to the season and has looked rejuvenated back at the club where he came through the ranks. Star quality: Robinho scores Brazil's second against the Republic of Ireland'He wasn't playing enough to be honest at Manchester City,' said Given playing for Ireland at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. 'He's gone back to Santos to play and prepare for the World Cup.'Hopefully he does well there and does well at the World Cup and he'll come back to us a better player.'I just think he was out a long time with injury and he wasn't getting his match sharpness back and stuff. Jump for joy: Robinho celebrates his goal'Playing out in Brazil will sharpen him up for the World Cup and in the long term it will be of benefit to Manchester City.'The goal for City now is to qualify for the Champions League in spite of the absence of their £32.5million record signing, who is due back in August.After a stuttering run of form, City beat Chelsea 4-2 on Saturday and now focus switches to facing Sunderland this weekend. Club v country: City team-mates Robinho and Given are friendly rivals as Brazil faced the Republic of Ireland at the Emirates Stadium'Great result. We're delighted. We have to kick on now,' he continued. 'It's a tough place for us. We have to try and win at Sunderland.'It's a big carrot getting into the Champions League and we've got to push hard now until the end of the season.' Brazil 2 Republic of Ireland 0: The real Robinho comes out to playManchester City midfielder Michael Johnson arrested over alleged headbutt on United fanBridge will be back for England, says Man City team-mate Kolo ToureRobinho: In Europe, the coach sends you out to run. Here in Brazil, I play.MANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail