Hughes rues Bellamy blow

MARK HUGHES admits the absence of Craig Bellamy will leave a major hole in his Manchester City side to tackle Aston Villa at Eastlands tonight.

Bellamy will be out for at least two weeks with a knee injury, with Hughes desperately hoping scans on the problem he suffered at West Ham on Sunday do not indicate the damage is more long term.

After his £10million January arrival from the Hammers, Bellamy has certainly stirred things up at City, scoring four goals to help them to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and also having cross words with record signing Robinho over a perceived lack of effort against Portsmouth.

With Robinho missing too, Hughes must decide whether to select Felipe Caicedo, Darius Vassell or long–term injury victim Valeri Bojinov to spearhead the City attack.

But whoever gets the call, Hughes knows Bellamy will be missed.

“Craig has been outstanding since he came to the club,” said Hughes. “He has been carrying the fight for us and his goals have been really important.” 

* VERSATILE John O’Shea should shrug off a minor heel injury to feature for league leaders Manchester United at Newcastle.