Brazil are offering no apologies after keeping Robinho away from Manchester City this week.

Rather than join City in Abu Dhabi, Robinho will stay with Dunga's squad for their friendlies against England, Saturday and Oman, in Muscat on Tuesday, much to the annoyance of City manager Mark Hughes.

"We know City want him with them but the situation for us is that we have only three games before the World Cup so we need Robinho here," said Rodrigo Paiva, spokesman for the Brazil team.

"This is a chance to talk to the players, to create the ambience, to discuss preparations for next summer. We need him.

"Whether he'll play this game or next week we are not sure. He'll be assessed again tomorrow. We don't need permission from City to play him but we will keep talking to them."