Manchester City manager Mark Hughes expects to see injured forward Robinho back in action next week.

The Brazilian has been sidelined for over two months with a stress fracture of his ankle. During this spell Robinho has been constantly linked with a move to Barcelona but Hughes is relaxed about the situation.

Speaking ahead of the Carling Cup match against Scunthorpe on Wednesday night, Hughes said: "The only problem is that he is not fit and I cannot play him.

"That will resolve itself, we hope, in the next week or so. It is about him getting back playing and enjoying his football again. And that takes away any other focus on Robi."

Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov will sit out the fourth round match through injury but Hughes is intent on playing a strong team.

He said: "There is no reason why we cannot do well in the competition and that is what we are aiming to do.

"I have picked strong teams and squads for it in the past. My intention for this game is to do exactly the same.

"We hope to do well in the domestic cups if we can. The Premier League is a huge ask for anybody to overcome some of the best teams, not only in Europe, but the world.

"That's the challenge every club in the Premier League has if they are to aspire to the top title."

City go into the match against the Coca-Cola Championship side on the back of a draw with Fulham after letting a two-goal lead slip.

Hughes said: "We all felt it was a bit like a defeat. I said at the beginning of the season that it is not going to be a clear run for us.

"There will be occasions where we disappoint ourselves. But everybody knows we're making progress and going in the right direction.

"The atmosphere at home this season has been great. The quality of the football at the moment is of a high standard, so everyone is enjoying that."

Scunthorpe won promotion through the play-offs and Hughes added: "They are a good team and we will give them the respect they deserve. It is a big game for them but it won't faze them coming to our stadium.

"They have experience in recent times of playing at Wembley and dealt with that situation. They will arrive here in the hope of causing an upset. We have got to sure that does not happen."