City sweat on Bellamy

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will give Craig Bellamy as much time as he needs to prove his fitness ahead of the Barclays Premier League match against Wigan on Sunday.

The Wales striker has not trained for the past two days because of the discomfort of a groin strain.

With Robinho absent with a stress fracture of the ankle, Bellamy has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks to become an influential player.

He secured a point with the equaliser in the draw against Aston Villa before heading off on international duty.

Hughes said: “Craig is a bit of a doubt but we will give everyone maximum time to help their chances of playing. There is still time before the game for these things to be resolved.

“He has been outstanding and you want two outstanding players for every position. In most positions we have the quality we need.

“If Craig is not available it means someone else will have to step up and be an influence on the game.”

Hughes could be down on numbers at the DW Stadium with Kolo Toure (heel), Joleon Lescott (calf), Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring), Martin Petrov (knee) and Nigel De Jong (knock) are all struggling with injury.

City have already taken seven points on the road this season after amassing only 11 in the whole of last campaign.

Hughes said: “We have more more players with Premier League experience, who have an understanding of what is needed to win games at this level.

“We look more solid. Sometimes you have to dig in more when you are away in the Premier League and we have been able to do that. We are pleased at how this are going in that respect. It is a marked improvement.”

Meanwhile the City boss is adamant that Robinho will stay part of the club after the Brazilian was linked with a move to Barcelona.

Hughes said: “There is always speculation and noise surrounding Robinho. That has been the case since he came to the club.

“He is a great guy. We are not in the process of taking outstanding players out of the team.

“We want to complement the outstanding players at the club. We are looking to build not dismantle.”

Robinho could make his comeback in the Carling Cup match with Scunthorpe in a fortnight.

Hughes said Robinho is anxious to return and added: “The only frustration he has at the moment is that he is not fit and well.

“Hopefully that will be resolved in the next week to 10 days and he will be back on the pitch.”