Bulgaria striker Bojinov is pushing for a place in the starting line-up against Aston Villa after recovering from a long-term knee injury.
Almost a year ago to the day he was looking forward to building on a fine start after arriving from Fiorentina when he damaged ligaments in the derby victory against Manchester United.
Such was the extent of the problem - and his rehabilitation - Bojinov never played for the the first team again in that campaign under Sven-Goran Eriksson.
However he has shown signs in pre-season and most recently in the UEFA Cup first-leg defeat by FC Midtjylland in midweek he could be the answer to City's current problems.
With Jo, Benjani Mwaruwari and Darius Vassell all absent, Hughes is down on numbers in that department.
The City boss decided to start the match against the Danes with teenagers Daniel Sturridge and Felipe Caicedo. The more experienced duo of Rolando Bianchi and Nery Castillo were not even among the substitutes.
Bojinov looked lively when he came off the bench to give Hughes another option.
Smile
Hughes said: "Valeri had a really bad injury but it looks as though he has come through that.
"I think everyone enjoys the way he plays. He plays with a smile on his face and when he scores there is always a great celebration.
"We are delighted he is back. It is like having a new signing as he's had hardly any football here.
"Valeri is looking strong and has the potential to be a match-winner this year. We are looking to bring him on and give him more game time."
Former Blackburn boss Hughes is hoping to put a difficult week behind him when they face Villa.
City looked short of match fitness and confidence when they lost to the Danish side.
Hughes, however, believes there will be a big improvement in their performance when they open their Premier League campaign.
He said: "If we start winning games early the confidence in what we say and tell the players will rise as a consequence.
"The spotlight at Blackburn was not as great as here and anything or any issue will be highlighted ten-fold.
"But I am stimulated by the challenge at City. I want to be tested and move a big club forward."
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Come on Blues!!!
I say yes play him if he is fit only.Lets not start getting desperate on only the first prem game.This guy is gonna be so important for us this season so we need to take it easy with him because he will have all the added pressure on his shoulders as well knowing about our striker "crisis".
No doubt it should be but MH will play Caicedo again!!!!
MH we need a player like Alonso to provide some experience to the midfield.
This lad is going to be the new hero of the City fans i'm sure of it.
Can't understand why Hughes wont try Bianchi and Bojinov upfront together. Think Bianchi is class but never given a chance. He bagged 18 goals in Seria A so cant be that bad. Come on Hughes give Bianchi and Bojinov a chance up front tommorrow. (presuming Bianchi is fit). Pick anyone but Caceido now he is a donkey! Also I would like Garrido in at lb; My team: Hart,Corluka,Richards,Ben-Haim,Garrido,Johnson,Elano,Petrov,Bianchi,Bojinov,Etuhu.
Probable Team same as the other night if so expect Villa win
short of match practice against the Danes? more like short of passion and commitment more like.
CAN ANYONE SEE ANY SENCE BEHIND THE BIANCHI SENARIO. WHY WILL NOBODY GIVE HIM A CHANCE,THE FANS LIKE HIM,I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE BIDDING FOR STRIKERS,STRIKERS WILL NOT SCORE GOALS WITHOUT A DECENT SUPPLY(WHICH WE DONT HAVE) WE HAVE THE BIGGEST SQUAD IN THE PREMIERSHIP TWICE THE SIZE OF SPURS YET WE ARE LIGHTWEIGHT IN 3 OR FOUR POSITIONS, I AM SICK OF SCRATCHING MY HEAD. WE DO NOT NEED A STRIKER WE NEED SERVICE FOR THE STRIKERS, WE NEED A HARD NO NONSENCE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD PLAYER,WE NEED A RIGHT WINGER AND WE NEED AN EXPERIENCED GK FOR BACK UP FOR 2 YOUNG INEXPIERIENCED. KEEPERS, FOR CHRIST SAKE HUGHES SORT IT OUT,50 IN A SQUAD IS RIDICULOUS GET RID OF 15 AND SIGN 5 MORE.
Bojinov will come good for us,but,as others have said let's not kill the potential golden goose by rushing him back and risking another injury.How on earth we've managed to wind up with so many strikers on the books,acquired by three different managers,the majority of whom are
unproven at this level and most of them pulling top wages simply beggars belief.
Squad number is 28, players used so far is 21.
Toe, the Bianchi scenario makes perfect sense to me. I watched him play a lot last season for Lazio and he is absolutely crap. Hope that helps clear it up for you. As far as him scoring 18 goals in Italy is concerned, check out Vuoso's record in Mexico.
Standby and Strap yourself in for another season of lost dreams, broken promises and false horizons!!
Wouldnt have it anyother way!
If it was all easy you wouldnt enjoy it anyway.
All i wish is that the the stadium of wispers would awake and make the same noises as MAINE ROAD!!
I'd love to comment on the Bojinov article because this guy really excites me, but I can't...'cause I feel sick.
We're playing in Orange against Villa! Orange? ORANGE?
Toe,New Mills, Totally agree with your comments.Excellent Post. The problem is not the lack of strikers but the supply side. We could have the best centre forwards in the world but if no one puts the ball in to them a waste of time. Everyone knows we need a lb,battling central midfielder and right wing instead of yet another centre forward.
The Blue Tool, URMSTON
we have 50 full time proffessionals on the books,ben mee (if im correct has shirt number 59)
it was even confirmed on sky sports last week.
Nobody knows if Boj will be effective if the EPL, one thing is certain the lad is miles away from full fitness
and it ain't going to do his confidence any good rushing him.If Evans is fit he must start ahead of the soft
mega hyped "goal machine" Sturridge.
Tomorrow is a damage limitations exercise, my team
4-4-1-1
HART
CORLUKA RICHARDS TBH BALL
ETUHU GELSON JOHNO GARIDO
PETROV
BOJ
Subs; Kasper,Evans,Onouha,Bianchi,
Hammman, Elano and Ireland
Seems Caceado (if that is how it's spelt) is fast becoming the new Samaras, for Gods sake he is 19yrs old living in a new country different style of football 2nd manager in 6months and he is allready the target of these so called fans that just love a scapegoat. Come on lads give the the lad a chance. He is playing for our beloved blues afterall!!!
No point in selecting players
like Bianchi who have had no play time to get match fit.
Bianchi clearly doesnt want to play for us and lets face it he hardly had a decent game last season.
If he was busting a gut in training then he would be in the team but I get the feeling he isnt!
Geovanni opened with a screamer today !
Heartbreaking to know that even though my daughter and I will be at the Villa to support the team,it will be to see City hammered.Villa will be quicker,sharper and more determined and likely be two or three up before half time.
It was the City of old on Thursday - especially in the first half - with non threatening and boring passing amongst our four and yet again so slow out of the blocks.How many times has that been the case ?
The commitment,hunger and desire was not there with some players seemingly going through the motions again pending their transfers with Johnson the most apparent one.
Hughes and his coaching staff have a massive task and whether for cash reasons or not maybe a clear out of the so called star players is needed.The trouble is that time is running out before the transfer window and the fear is we will be carrying some unsettled players who care less about the club and the shirt into the season with the inevitable results.
Sadly we will once again have to be patient - how many times have we been asked to be patient ?? - for another season or two before Hughes is able to reshape the team and give us a team of players that will fight and die to a man for this club.
I think Hughes should loan Caciedo out to a Championship club, like we did with Ched Evans.
Well said Paulo, a rare bit of wisdom on these boards.
Toe. City's premiership squad is 27. Check MCFC website. Do you really think Spurs is 14? It can only mean Spurs have no reserve teams.Don't believe everything on Sky or in papers, check the facts yourself.
All players are given a club number (uefa) the official (1st) team squad is 28 players, this is not to say that any player ( reserves/ youth ) cannot be called up to the first team. The term Squad refers to the players that will be involved in a good percentage of 1st team games throughout the season.
timmybates, Denton
SORRY MATE, BUT YOUR TEAM WOULD GET BATTERED. i have never seen such a spinless midfield in all my life.
GOD HELP US!!
HAMANN needs to be in the team for a start.
tell you what though our squad looks woefull of talent.