Hughes hopes home help will outshine McClaren

Former England manager returns to Britain having tasted success overseas

(PA)

The Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes Steve McClaren deserves credit for re-launching his career abroad. The former England coach is back on home soil with his FC Twente side with a date at Eastlands tonight in the Uefa Cup.

McClaren, 47, has got off to a good start in the Netherlands following the bitter disappointment of having only 18 games in charge of the national side. The end came last November when England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after the defeat by Croatia at Wembley. McClaren moved to FC Twente in June and they are currently sixth in the Eredivisie table but only two points behind the leaders.

Hughes, who cut his teeth during his four-year spell with Wales, has a lot of admiration for his managerial counterpart. He said: "There may be some friendly banter from our fans but Steve has moved on and the England team has moved on. Steve has always been one, you feel, who always had his career path mapped out. I think there was always going to be a time when he wanted to ply his trade in a different country. That is what he is doing now and he should be applauded for that. He wants to develop as a coach and as a manager. He is obviously enjoying the experience at the moment because results are going for him."

Hughes insists it is vital City win their two home games if they are to progress from the group stages – and is quietly confident they can do that. It is on the road his side have hit problems and they go into the match on the back of successive defeats by Bolton and Middlesbrough.

He said: "When we play in front of our own fans, there is a freedom in our play. There is a positive attitude in everything we try to do. It is important to win our first game, given the make-up of the competition. If you win your home matches, it gives you an opportunity to qualify from the group. If we can pick up even a point from the two away games, I think that will be enough."

Hughes could have more attacking options against an FC Twente side that won their first game, against Racing Santander of Spain.

Benjani scored for the reserves this week following a long-standing thigh injury, while Darius Vassell also had a run-out after being out with a knee problem.

Hughes is looking for Benjani to kick on and said: "I like his attitude. He comes into training with a smile on his face and I have been impressed with his work-rate. It is frustrating he has not been able to make an impact for us but, touch wood, we hope he is back now. He scored a goal in his comeback in the reserves, which will help him. We are really pleased he is back."

Captain Richard Dunne is doubtful after suffering fluid on the knee following the defeat by Bolton.

The City winger Martin Petrov could be out for up to four months as he is facing a knee operation. Petrov's injury – which occurred on international duty with Bulgaria – failed to respond to treatment.

The former Atletico Madrid star is scheduled to return to Spain next week for an operation. Hughes said: "Martin is going to see a surgeon on Monday and he will probably stay and have an operation. If that is the case, he will probably be out for three to four months. That would be a blow for us as he gives us more options. Unfortunately it is a frustration for us as it happened on international duty. That makes it a bit more difficult to take.

"Martin had a good pre-season and last year he was one of our outstanding performers."