Mark Hughes has warned Manchester City fans they will not truly see the benefit of his extensive squad reshuffle until next season. The arrival of Shay Given from Newcastle United completed a hectic transfer window for the City manager and although he missed out on Kaka, he did sign Wayne Bridge, Nigel de Jong and Craig Bellamy.

"People don't understand how much of a change has been undertaken here," Hughes said. "The alterations we have made on and off the field have been vast. Certainly I am confident about the impact they will have and I am looking for a strong second half to the season. But in addition, the way we do our work on a daily basis will have a positive impact going into next season."

Hughes failed to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers despite a series of increased bids for the Paraguayan, but the City manager refused to budge on a final offer which was eventually turned down. "In the end our valuation was not tempting enough to allow Blackburn to let him go," Hughes said. "It was quite clear we weren't going to be able to do any business so we walked away from the deal."

Shaun Wright-Phillips has been cleared to play against Middlesbrough tomorrow by the FA despite the likelihood of a three-match ban being imposed on him next week for his retaliatory kick at Rory Delap, the Stoke City midfielder, last weekend,