The Brazilian is sure to be given a tough time by Stoke in tomorrow's Eastlands clash, but Hughes is confident Robinho is up to the challenge.

"He has been a star player from a very early age and he's used to attention on and off the field," said Hughes.

"It doesn't faze him. Teams could very well try and target his ability and try and stop him playing but if that happens then I expect the other good players I have in my team to come to the fore.

"It's about being collectively strong and giving Robinho the opportunity in the right areas to be able to produce what we know he can do.

"If we do that then, irrespective of any game plan the opposition has in regards to Robinho, it's still very difficult to counteract what he can produce.

"He's enjoying it. He's playing week in and week out and this is the place where he wanted to be; he wanted to ply his trade in the Premier League and that's the opportunity he has now."

Much was expected of City following their summer takeover and the transfer deadline day signing of Robinho, but after a 6-0 victory over Portsmouth last month they have failed to win in three league games.

The last of those was a 2-2 draw against 10-man Newcastle at St James' Park last Monday, and Hughes admitted their defensive frailties have given him cause for concern.

He said: "Our form has been okay but what it hasn't been is good enough to get the results that we wanted.

"It was disappointing against Newcastle because, as always, when a team goes down to 10 men and you're 1-0 up, people expect you to see the game to a positive conclusion and we were unable to do that.

"But even in the games we've been beaten in we've played some good stuff. I think we've scored more goals than any other team in the Premier League, so in an attacking sense we're in good shape.

"Defensively, obviously, we need to tighten up. It's not just aimed at the back four. We're playing quite expansive football and we're positive in our attacking play so on occasion we will be exposed.

"Possibly we need to be a little bit more resolute in one-on-one situations and be strong enough to come out with the ball.

"In key moments, and in key periods in games, we just need to be a bit stronger in our mentality."

Following the match against Stoke, City travel to Middlesbrough and Bolton over the next week - all sides in the bottom half of the table.

And Hughes knows his side must get back on the winning trail if they are to challenge for European football again.

"This is a period that, when the fixtures came out, we felt was an important time for us," said Hughes.

"The vast majority of matches we've played have been against top-half teams so maybe this is a period where we're playing teams below us that we need to take points off."