Robinho may struggle for regular action at Manchester City this season.

The Daily Mail says dropped for the game at Portsmouth on Sunday after a poor showing at Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup, Robinho was replaced by the energy and endeavour of Craig Bellamy. It was the right choice.

Such is the size of City's squad now - and it will get bigger in January - it is feasible that Robinho could be used as an impact player; the right player for the right game. Certainly he will start against Arsenal a week on Saturday.

By all accounts his attitude this season has been much improved, due in no small part to the sale of soul-mate and anti-Hughes agitator Elano. He has also gone on record as saying that he will thrive this term now that the spotlight is not only on him.

If he really means that than Hughes could get the best out of him. It does, however, seem rather unlikely that a world star Robinho will revel in the role of bit-part player.