City front pair boost Hughes

UNDER-PRESSURE Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has received a double dose of good news on the injury front with Darius Vassell and Benjani both coming through a reserve team outing against Liverpool.

Neither man has made a first–team appearance this season. Vassell suffered a knee injury in the pre–season friendly with AC Milan, while Benjani has struggled to shake off a thigh problem.

However, both came through last night’s game, with Benjani sealing a 2–1 win.

And with Hughes desperate to end a slump that has seen City lose at Middlesbrough and relegation–threatened Bolton in the past seven days, the extra striking reinforcements are vital given a change in formation could be on the cards.

Benjani in particular would beef up the Blues forward line and take some of the responsibility away from £32.5million man Robinho.

Left–back Michael Ball also made his comeback from an ankle injury last night, although that has not stopped Hughes being heavily linked with a move for Marseille’s Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo.