Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is delighted with his Brazilian pair Elano and Robinho.

Ahead of last night's 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, Hughes told City's website: "They have a good understanding on that left-hand side.

"They are both creative players, and while Elano's role in the team has changed he is still embracing what we are trying to do here. He's been very effective and I was pleased with his performance on Sunday."

The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has missed a few games this season as Hughes saw fit to rotate his line-up and speaking about that the Manager stated: "Like every player when they get taken out of the team, they are not particularly happy, I was exactly the same but there are always reasons.

"These days it's not because you are playing poorly or well, it's about the benefit to the team, and where it needs to go in certain games against certain opposition.

"Elano will be the preferred option against certain teams because he will be the right player to play. Sometimes others will play, but it's all about the squad these days, it's a different mentality that players have to have."