Mark Hughes believes Robinho's inconsistent form at Manchester City is due to his time at former club Real Madrid.

The City boss blamed his star's loss of form on the strain of having to play regularly in the Premier League after being used sparingly in Spain.

Hughes said: "It's understandable because he's playing week in week out, and he hasn't done that for a while. It's his first season in one of the strongest and most physical leagues. Also, maybe teams now have the knowledge of what he is capable of doing.

"There are times when you've looked at him and maybe there's been a bit of flatness in his play. But he's never knocked on the door and said, 'I'm tired'.

"Every time he goes away on international duty, it's not just a little hop into Europe. It's a trip across continents and that can have a bit of an impact as well."