Hughes - SWP deserves recall

City chief delighted with winger's impact

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Hughes - SWP deserves recall

Wright-Phillips: Back to his best

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Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has backed Shaun Wright-Phillips to grasp his recall to the England squad.

Wright-Phillips has been recalled to Fabio Capello's ranks for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus after impressing in recent weeks with City following his return to Eastlands from Chelsea.

The 26-year-old won the last of his 19 caps eight months ago and Hughes believes the winger will rise to the challenge of being back in the England fold.

"Shaun's quick and is experienced at international level. His recall is justified and it won't faze him in any way, shape or form," Hughes told the club's official website.

Experienced

"He came back here a much better player, with more experience, and he understands what it takes to affect a game.

"Shaun is also a great guy who works extremely hard for his team-mates and his work ethic is without question. Mr Capello has recognised those qualities and that's why he is back in."

Hughes added: "We are absolutely delighted for him, it is just reward for an outstanding start he has made to the resumption of his City career.

"He came back to a club he knows well, he is playing with a smile on his face and everyone is benefiting."

Hughes, meanwhile, has confirmed he will look to strengthen the squad when the transfer window reopens in January.

The City chief is set to meet the club's new owners in November to discuss his transfer plans and he is expected to receive hefty backing from the Abu Dhabi United Group, who have already forked out a British record fee of £32.5million for Robinho.

City have lost three of their last four games, including Sunday's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool and Hughes knows they need to improve certain areas of the team.

Development
"It is still early in our development as a team and we are doing a lot of good things," noted Hughes.

"We would have preferred to go into the international break on the back of a positive result, so it was a harsh lesson from Liverpool.

"We will be looking to strengthen in January but for the moment we will address the things we are not great at."