HUGHES TARGETS EXPERIENCE

Hughes - will move with purpose.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says he will be trying to sign experienced players in January and will not be chasing unrealistic targets.

Since the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover of City, the club have been linked with a string of high-profile players from across the globe.

Brazilian forward Robinho has already been recruited for a British record fee, while Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas are among those rumoured to be on the club's wanted list.

However, Hughes has moved to dampen expectations of who might arrive at the City of Manchester Stadium in the New Year by confirming he will be aiming to sign long-term targets.

"All the stories linking us with spending vast fortunes on the world's best players are predictable and we try to nip them in the bud," Hughes told the Manchester Evening News.

"But they keep on persisting and it is something we have to deal with.

"We accept them because there is a lot of interest in the club and people want to know and see who we will pursue and get through the door.

"I keep telling everyone that we are trying to be realistic in the targets we think we can get. There is no point chasing players we have no chance of getting. Our acquisitions will be players we have looked at and that we have researched and focused our attentions on.

"We will not be flying off left, right and centre trying to sign people. It will be done with thought and with purpose.

"Every football manager is in the market for good players should they become available and should that be the case then City will be in the forefront, but the trick is knowing when those players become available and being able to clinch the deal."

He added: "An older element would certainly help the team and its development. We are good to watch, but we frustrate the fans sometimes because we still do have frailties and I understand that.

"Come January we will try to address those frailties, but along the way we will still produce good football."