Shay Given insists Robinho can still have a big future at Manchester City.

Robinho has impressed on-loan at Santos.

"He wasn't playing enough to be honest at Manchester City," Given told Sky Sports News. "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.

"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."