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It's clear that Hughes has issues to deal with, and everything in the garden isn't always rosy at Eastlands, although the press after last weeks exploits have turned their attention to Stoke's problems in the Emirates dressing room. It's being suggested that Amir Khan wants to take on Ricky Hatton there in the summer, I don't know how true that is.

What is true is that City are reaching a stage where a lot of players are coming back to fitness after injury problems - Nedum Onouha, Vincent Kompany, Michael Johnson, Roque Santa Cruz and dear old Benjani Mwaruwari (who I think we ought to keep just to hone up my keyboard skills)- and don't forget Javier Garrido! As if we could!

This brings into focus an important issue, as if we have talented players like Johnno returning and looking for a chance of a first team start, how does he get it?
By showing his fitness in training, competing hard, showing the right attitude - he has been losing weight we're assured - then getting a place on the bench waiting for an injury or a tactical change (don't laugh!)

The time is coming when Toure and Adebayor will be called up on international duty and it's tempting to stick to the formula that seems to be working, but Hughes will know only too well that these other boys need gametime, if only to get them match fit, and if they start forming a queue, they may get a bit anxious.

Yesterday Benjani has said he wants to stay and fight for his place, he believes in what Hughes is doing at City and wants to be part of it (I did say don't laugh!) Competition will be fierce which is good for the club, but Hughes surely must give a talent like Johnson room to develop, and we don't want Nedum Onouha looking for career moves, he's much too good for that.

There will be opportunities next year like FA Cup games, the semis of the Carling Cup as well as losing two key players in January to the Africa thing so there will need to be a certain amount of rotation before then, perhaps over the busy Christmas and New Year holidays. It has to be done. I wonder how Benjani will go on partnered with Tevez? It's a headache, but one we need if we are to compete at the highest level.

Answers on a postcard please to M Hughes.......