Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager, says he is delighted to see Robinho aiming high after the Brazilian set himself a target of 30 goals in his first season in English football.

City's record signing took his tally to six goals in six Premier League games with a clinically-taken hat-trick in the 3-0 win against Stoke on Sunday. And while Hughes believes the former Real Madrid man may have his work cut out to fulfil his wish, he is more than happy to see him try.

"He had a smile on his face when he said it," Hughes said. "His expectations are high and we are pleased about that because that's what we want to hear from players.

"That they are excited about what's happening and they have a feeling that it's possible to reach the targets they are setting themselves and the targets we are setting them as individuals and as a team.

"Positive thinking is always a good thing and on the strength of scoring three goals I am sure he was very positive and thinking in terms of getting a good total this year.

"He's certainly got the capabilities. He is an outstanding talent, as everybody has seen even in the short space of time he has been here.

"We will make sure that we try and get into situations and positions on the field to enable him to add to his tally. Whether or not he gets to 30 - it's a big ask - who knows?"

With fellow Brazilian Jo unlikely to make tomorrow night's trip to Middlesbrough and Darius Vassell, Benjani Mwaruwari and Valeri Bojinov also out injured, Robinho could be partnered by Ched Evans or Daniel Sturridge at the Riverside Stadium.

Evans is expected to recover from a knee injury sustained against Stoke but Sturridge is pressing for a start after coming off the bench on Sunday and striking up an impressive partnership with Robinho, who scored his second and third goals from clever Sturridge assists.

"He's been part of the team already. He started against West Ham so I've shown that trust in him and I think you have to show trust in players," Hughes added.

"That's the reason they wear the shirt and the likes of Daniel and Ched have shown me in the short space of time I've been here they have the ability to play in the Premier League so I would have no qualms about starting either of them.

"I'm really pleased we've got young strikers coming through the ranks who are able to give me an option because we are light on the ground in experience up front.

"It's been really critical to us that the likes of Daniel and Ched have been an option for me because we could have really struggled."