While Hughes' squad now has a trio of Brazilians following the arrival of striking duo Robinho and Jo this summer, the loss of Geovanni has caused a few grumblings at Eastlands.

Although he never hit the heights in 23 almost exclusively substitute appearances at City, the 28-year-old has shown at Hull exactly why Sven-Goran Eriksson brought him to the club 18 months ago.

Operating just behind a two-man strikeforce, Geovanni is a difficult man to pick up and earned himself hero status at the KC Stadium with his phenomenal match-winner at Arsenal in September.

Many City fans wonder how Geovanni might have prospered in the same team as Robinho but Hughes never got the chance to convince him to stay.

"The Geovanni situation had been resolved before I came to the club," said the Blues chief.

"I did not have an opportunity to work with him or speak to him.

"He obviously made a decision to go to Hull and it has worked for him.

"He has made a big impact and shown real quality.

"The key thing is being able to play every week. That is what wasn't on offer here.

"Players benefit from that and he certainly has."

Not that Hughes can spend much time worrying what would have happened if he had kept the South American.

Although he returned from Abu Dhabi this week with a ringing endorsement from City's oil-rich owners, the Welshman knows he needs to arrest a slide that has seen his team collect just one win in their last seven Premier League games and bow out of the Carling Cup to League One outfit Brighton.

In addition, playmaker Elano has publicly criticised his manager, adding further fuel to speculation that all is not well under Hughes no matter how much backing he receives.

The former Blackburn boss knows he can only quash the criticism by winning matches, which is what he aims to do at the KC Stadium tomorrow.

"One win and we are pushing for Europe, one defeat and we are looking over our shoulders. That is how it is at the moment," he reflected.

"Back-to-back victories allows you to move up four or five places purely as a consequence of everyone being so tightly packed.

"It is simple. Get points on the board you go up. That has never changed."

City's task tomorrow is made harder by the absences of suspended duo Gelson Fernandes and skipper Richard Dunne, who both serve one-match bans after receiving red cards in the home defeat to Tottenham last weekend.

The loss of Dunne is a particular blow as it forces Hughes into yet another defensive change, with Tal Ben Haim set to partner Micah Richards in the heart of defence.

"It has not helped us this season that we have been unable to get a settled back four on the pitch due to suspensions and injuries," said the City chief.

"I have had to change things around for almost every game.

"We are missing our captain again this weekend and while we still have good players what we could really do with is that consistency of selection."

Like most observers, Hughes has been impressed by the way Hull have adapted to life in the top flight under Phil Brown.

The Tigers have rarely lacked entertainment value, with their manager so committed to an attacking philosophy. And, as City know how to find the net as well, with Robinho now up to seven for the season, it promises to be a thriller.

"Hull have done really well," said Hughes.

"I am very impressed with everything they have been able to achieve.

"They are a really strong, tight unit playing with a lot of determination and no little skill.

"They have had a little stumble of late but that can happen because of the opposition they are facing.

"I am sure they want to get back to winning ways but we need to do that as well, so it should be a good match."