Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says their UEFA Cup tie with FC Copenhagen is important for the club's progress.

He said: "When you are in Europe and you are playing Thursday and then Sunday in the Premier League sometimes you think it is more trouble than it is worth.

"But when you actually go out of a competition such as the UEFA Cup then there is a gap in your programme and a feeling of loss.

"I do not want that to happen at City, especially as they have not made that many excursions into Europe.

"From a development point of view we need to stay in the competition as long as we can."