The Brazil forward has missed the last two matches because of a nagging ankle problem after scoring nine goals already in his debut season in England.

But he now showing signs of recovery, according to assistant manager Mark Bowen.

"We are hoping that in the next couple of days he will be back in for full training," Bowen told www.mcfc.co.uk.

"He was not quite there on Saturday (a 1-1 draw against Fulham). Although he travelled down with us he was in a touch too much pain to take part."

Robinho also sat out the draw with Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup because of the problem.

Meanwhile defender Michael Ball has backed Robinho's claim that the side need to step up and find a winning mentality.

The club's record buy, who arrived in the summer in a £32.5million move from Real Madrid, wants his new team-mates to develop a different mindset.

Those outspoken remarks struck a chord with Ball.

"We are fine with it, " he said. "Robbie has played for one of the best clubs in the world and their mentality is that second is nothing.

"That is the kind of attitude you want as it breeds confidence and that's where we want City to be. We don't want second best, we have got to keep pushing up the league.

"I had that when I was with Rangers and PSV (Eindhoven) - you could lose the league by just a point and it's not good enough."