Hughes: Jo has a future back at Man City

Hughes: Jo has a future back at Man City

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes expects Brazilian striker Jo to return a better player once his loan deal with Everton expires at the end of the season.

Signed for £17million from CSKA Moscow last summer, the 21-year-old failed to make any impression in his first few months at Eastlands.

Hughes agreed a loan deal with Everton in January, which was expected to mark the end of the South American's time at City.

However, a run of three goals in five games for the Toffees has confirmed the ability that was seen in the forward when he was lured to City in a transfer Hughes rubber-stamped but had no part in setting up.

Faced with the arrival of Craig Bellamy from West Ham, and the return to fitness of Valeri Bojinov and Daniel Sturridge, Hughes felt it was better for Jo to learn his trade elsewhere in the Premier League.

And while he would have preferred it not to be at Goodison Park, a rival at the top end of the table, Jo's current form only emphasises Hughes' belief he can figure in his future plans.

"The reason I allowed him to go was that I felt he wasn't going to get a chance to play here this season," said Hughes.

"What the lad needs is Premier League football. I expect him to get better and develop in terms of what is required to play in the Premier League.

"It is much more physical and intense than he is used to and I think that probably took him aback. He struggled to cope with it.

"Most attack-minded players find it hard to come to the Premier League and hit the ground running. Andrey Arshavin is the same at Arsenal.

"The Premier League is just so much more intense than anywhere else."

He was never worth the money.