Hughes poised to splash out

MARK HUGHES is understood to have a £40million war chest to spend in the January transfer window as he sets out to transform the fortunes of relegation-threatened Manchester City.

Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz and West Ham’s Craig Bellamy are earmarked to provide more firepower.

And they could be joined by Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge and Villarreal midfield player Marcos Senna.

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure is also being linked with a £10m move to Eastlands.

There could be an exodus of players including Brazilian pair Elano and Jo, plus defender Tal Ben Haim, a £5m capture from Chelsea in August, who was also left out of the squad for Sunday’s game against West Brom.