Hughes confident of deal for SWP

MARK HUGHES is confident of tempting Shaun Wright-Phillips back to Manchester City.

Three years after Wright-Phillips joined Chelsea from City in a £22million deal, Hughes looks set to buy him for a cut-price £8.5m - even though agent Wayne Lindsay says Wright-Phillips (26) is happy at Stamford Bridge.

Everton are also in the hunt for Wright-Phillips but would baulk at the staggering £80,000 a week City are prepared to offer him.

City are also thought to be considering a move for Brazilian striker Ronaldo who has been released by AC Milan. As a free agent, he can sign outside the transfer window.

Espanyol’s Argentine right-back Pablo Zabaleta is wanted by City but they face competition from Juventus. Should City land Zabaleta, that could pave the way for Vedran Corluka to join Tottenham.

Sunderland are understood to be lining up a £2m bid for City left-back Michael Ball.

Brazilian striker Jo, back from the Olympic Games, is set to play for City in tonight’s UEFA Cup tie at Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Defender Micah Richards, knocked out after a clash of heads with team-mate Tal Ben Haim in Sunday’s win against West Ham, trained yesterday and ought to be available as City seek to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.