Man City boss Mark Hughes has left Nigel de Jong out of his squad for the Uefa Cup knockout phase.
Four into three doesn't go for Hughes
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has decided to leave Nigel de Jong out of his squad for the Uefa Cup knockout phase.
Hughes brought in four new players during the January transfer window, but was only allowed to register three for the Uefa Cup.
Craig Bellamy and Shay Given were selected, with Hughes torn between Wayne Bridge and De Jong for the other spot.
However, with cover in midfield, Hughes has confirmed he has chosen to omit former Hamburg ace De Jong from his European plans.
Hopeful
"There are only so many you are allowed to bring in, so we have had a look at it and Nigel won't be involved," said Hughes. "It will be Craig, Wayne and Shay that we were allowed to add.
"We looked at Nigel, but with the cover we have in his area with Vincent (Kompany) and also Pablo (Zabaleta) that's what we have gone with.
"We're hopeful of carrying on in the Uefa Cup, and it would be great to progress further into the latter stages.
"If we could couple that with a strong league finish then we would be delighted."
City are back in Uefa Cup action on Thursday 19th February when they travel to Denmark to meet FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their last 32 tie.
