Mark Hughes’ Manchester City host Phil Brown’s Hull City in the Boxing Day Premiership game at the City of Manchester Stadium on Friday.

The cash-rich City have slumped into the relegation zone with a spate of disappointing performances and Hughes is now under increasing pressure to lift the Eastlands club out of the bottom three.

With the January transfer window opening in a matter of days, Hughes is backed by the board to spend in the market to reinforce his squad so as to have a better second half of the campaign.

Nevertheless, City are keen to finish the year with an improved placing in the table and would be hoping to put up a good performance against the Tigers, who are sixth in the table.

Brazil star Robinho, who has been troubled by an ankle problem, is fit again and boosts Hughes side to face the Tigers. But Benjani Mwaruwari (thigh) is out while Darius Vassell (toe) faces a late fitness test.

Hull, who held City to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture last month, have made a fine impression in their debut season in the Premiership with victories over the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The surprise package of the season have proved to be a well organised side, especially their away performances have been commendable. They are currently unbeaten in their last three league games on the road.

Hull will be without left-back Sam Ricketts, who is suspended, and Andy Dawson, who is out with an Achilles injury.

Brown could consider bringing in Nathan Doyle, right-back Paul McShane is also available while Craig Fagan has recovered from a broken leg.

The teams

Man City (from): Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Fernandes, Robinho, Vassell, Caicedo, Garrido, Onuoha, Hamann, Clayton, Ben-Haim, Jo, Elano, Schmeichel.

Hull (from): Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Doyle, Mendy, Ashbee, Boateng, Barmby, Geovanni, King, Garcia, Halmosi, Windass, Marney, Cousin, Giannakopoulos, Hughes, Fagan, Duke.