ROBINHO was today at the centre of a club versus country storm after Brazil indicated he may play for them in tomorrow's friendly against England.

The City star was pencilled in for a possible Blues return at the end of this month, after a three-month absence with a stress fracture of the ankle.

And he left City's training camp in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to join up with his national team in Qatar for what was expected to be a brief medical examination.

But City boss Mark Hughes learned last night - via journalists attending the team's 1-0 friendly defeat by the United Arab Emirates - that Brazil are considering playing him.

That became even more likely when news filtered out of Brazil's camp that Robinho was to appear at a press conference today - highly unusual if he is not expected to play against England or in next Tuesday's friendly in Oman.

The sight of Robinho playing virtually a full part in an extensive training session only further fuelled a feeling he was going to be involved.

Hughes was clearly shocked by the news, after saying the club doctor, who accompanied the player, had given no such indication.

"The decision was made that he could stay with them under the proviso that he doesn't take any part in the game, so we don't expect him to play on Saturday or Tuesday," Hughes said, before learning of the impending press conference.

"I am not aware of that. I can only give you what our doctor has been told," said Hughes.

"We sent him with Robi because we wanted them to know, in no uncertain terms, that he was very much of a risk if he is involved in the games.

"He has had one training session in eight to ten weeks, so to suggest he would be ready for an international against England, would be foolhardy, in my opinion."

The Brazilian FA normally enjoy good relations with Eastlands and coach Dunga, who like Fabio Capello, will not see his players again until March, was only following precedent by calling on Robinho.

Even if the controversial £32.5m star does not play, the likelihood is he would not be available to train with City until Thursday next week, giving him just two days to prove his fitness ahead of the meeting with Liverpool at Anfield on November 21.