The Brazil ace, finally recovered from a stress fracture of the ankle, is desperate to play in what would be his first Barclays Premier League action since facing Wolves on August 22.
Robinho tormented Hull last season and his two first-half goals left the Yorkshiremen trailing 4-0 at the interval, during which manager Brown kept his puzzled players on the pitch for their pep talk.
City’s club record buy, being tracked by European champions Barcelona, would welcome a reprise of last season’s performance, as would manager Hughes at the start of a demanding week for his team.
Hughes admitted: “We watched him train this week, and sometimes you can forget just how accomplished a player like that is when he’s been out for some time. We’re delighted he’s back.
“You always miss the influence that he can have at some point in the game. He’s one of our most technically-gifted players. You’d always like to have his skills at your disposal. They haven’t been available to us.
“But he’s back now, he’s had a good week training and looked sharp, and we’ll try to get him involved at the weekend. He’s very much in my thoughts and it’s important he gets back playing.
“He has that ability to create things - you need players who have the ability to unlock the door and he certainly has that. In key areas, in and around the box, I’d suggest he’s one of the best in the world. We need to get him in those areas, and when we do, he’ll produce for us.”
With only Martin Petrov ruled out by injury, Hughes has the luxury of options in all departments as City bid to put an end to their spell of six successive Barclays Premier League draws.
He said: “There has been a frustration because we’ve played well but not been able to capitalise. We’re trying to make sure we have that hard-nosed attitude when we get into a winning position.”
