Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager, says Robinho is relishing the prospect of facing Chelsea at Eastlands on Saturday

The former Real Madrid winger will make his City debut against the club who pursued him from much of the summer before they were gazumped by City’s £32.5million bid.

The Brazilian is flying back to Manchester on a private jet with his international team-mates Elano, Jo and Pablo Zabaleta, having taking part in his country's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

“On the day I met him in London ten days ago, one of the first things he said was that he can’t wait to play against Chelsea, so that’s a good sign," Hughes said.

“The intention is that he plays a part on Saturday. The impression everyone has of Robinho is that as soon as he gets the ball you sense something is going to happen and I think everyone will see that at the weekend.

“By all accounts he did not pick up any injuries against Bolivia and played 90 minutes, but like all the players who have been away on international duty we will have to get them back and have a look at them.”

City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group has given the club spending power to rival and possibly exceed that of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea. “I know it’s being billed as the ’clash of the cash’," Hughes said of the weekend fixture.

“We are really looking forward to getting back to playing football and the fixture against Chelsea is a fantastic one for us, it’s the perfect game for us given the circumstances.”

Martin Petrov is unavailable for City due to a knee injury and Michael Johnson is doubtful with a groin problem, but Micah Richards could play after recovering from a damaged shoulder.