Robinho is battling to keep his starting place at Manchester City ahead of next week's clash at Arsenal.

The Daily Mail says the Brazilian is struggling for form and confidence and has been particularly disappointing away from home in recent weeks.

City manager Mark Hughes would have already left out Robinho (pictured) if he had options available, but now he has the opportunity to give the 24-year-old a rest after welcoming back key players to first-team training.

With Craig Bellamy fit again after knee trouble, Stephen Ireland on his way to overcoming an ankle knock he suffered in the UEFA Cup last week and Bulgarian Martin Petrov stepping up his own fitness work, Hughes will have a greater array of attacking options next week.