Manchester City can draw encouragement from one of their rare away-day successes when Sunderland visit Eastlands on Sunday.

Mark Hughes' side have had a dismal Barclays Premier League campaign on their travels, winning just once all term.

But that one victory came against this weekend's opponents in August, although Hughes acknowledges much has changed at both clubs ahead of this next crucial meeting.

Sunderland were still under the charge of Roy Keane then, while City were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group a day after that 3-0 win.

That takeover the heralded a bright new era for City but they could still be pulled back into a relegation scrap should they lose to the Black Cats.

Hughes said: "We had a good performance at the Stadium of Light, we played really well and thoroughly deserved the victory.

"Obviously a lot of things have happened in the meantime, not only for ourselves but Sunderland as well.

"Different circumstances, different teams - but obviously we are looking for a similar result.

"We have got to make sure we recover well and use the positive of getting to the last eight of a major European competition."

City were in action late on Thursday night as they were taken to a penalty shoot-out by Aalborg in the UEFA Cup.

They eventually prevailed as Shay Given saved two spot-kicks and they can now look forward to a last-eight tie with Hamburg next month.

Hughes hopes the excitement generated by the European campaign will overcome any tiredness.

Hughes said: "We have been travelling and playing and with extra-time as well, that could be an issue but I don't think it will be.

"I think the actual high of getting through to the next round will stop any sense of tiredness.

"The big concern going into the weekend is the amount of injuries we have picked up but hopefully they will resolve themselves.

"You saw the reaction at the end, that shows how much time and effort we have put into the competition.

"We started way back in July and have come through 14 games, so it wasn't something we wanted to give up lightly.

"It is an exciting time for us and we are using the experience to help to help develop the team and the squad and we want it to continue."

Hughes will check on the fitness of Stephen Ireland, Wayne Bridge and Vincent Kompany.

Ireland suffered an ankle injury against the Danes while Bridge felt a tight hamstring. Kompany passed a late fitness test on a toe injury to play and is still being troubled by the problem.

Striker Craig Bellamy could return after making a quicker than expected recovery from the knee injury that has sidelined him since the start of the month.

Hughes said: "We have missed his threat, his ability to carry the fight into the opponents' half, his ability to stretch teams.

"Other creative players can have a little more space because of the space he creates.

"We have missed that because prior to his injury he was flying, creating goals and scoring them. We would love to get Craig back as soon as possible."