Hughes gets Royle support

Former Manchester City boss Joe Royle is confident the club will keep faith with present manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes’ position at Eastlands is again in the spotlight following his side’s shock FA Cup loss to Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

City were also in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone until collecting four points from games against Hull and Blackburn over Christmas.

But with the transfer window open and Hughes having just signed Wayne Bridge, Royle expects the former Blackburn boss to be given more time by City to build his own side, rather than being pushed out.

Royle told BBC Radio Five Live: “They are sensible people there and won’t react that way, probably rightly so.

“What other club would parade a £12m purchase to the fans before they play a cup tie against a side they should comfortably beat and then turn a miserable performance in?

“Mark had an honest team at Blackburn, he had a team he could rely on and knew what he could expect week in, week out.

“Quite honestly, at the moment he doesn’t know what he has got there.”