Hughes waits on international stars

MANAGER Mark HUGHES was today assessing the fitness of four Manchester City players who arrived back from South America late last night.

Providing they show no ill-effects from playing in two World Cup qualifiers, £32.5million British record buy Robinho and Argentine capture Pablo Zabaleta could be handed their debuts against Chelsea tomorrow.

Brazilians Jo and Elano were the two other players who returned in an aeroplane chartered by City.

But winger Martin Petrov is ruled out with a knee problem, while Michael Johnson is a major doubt with a groin strain.

But Micah Richards, who damaged his shoulder at Sunderland, should be fit to take his place in the starting line-up.

UNITED will hand a debut to club record buy Dimitar Berbatov at Liverpool tomorrow providing the Bulgarian striker overcomes a minor groin strain.

Sir Alex Ferguson also has concerns about midfield pair Michael Carrick (ankle) and Owen Hargreaves (knee).

Striker Carlos Tevez returned from international duty early after being sent off for Argentina against Paraguay last Saturday which ruled him out of Wednesday’s qualifier against Chile in Santiago.