ROBINHO has put his future at City on the line by fuelling a club versus country war of words.

The Brazilian ace will sit out his country's friendly with England in Qatar today but is still insisting on being considered for the game against Oman on Tuesday - risking a confrontation with City boss Mark Hughes.

An ankle injury to City's British record signing means he has not played for the Blues since August 27, and his continued wish to appear for Brazil on Tuesday is bound to incur the wrath of the Eastlands boss who has already called his star's actions `foolhardy.'

City will obviously wait to see whether Robinho does play before deciding what course to take.

But matters were not improved when Robinho attended a Brazil press conference, on a day when Hughes had expected him back at the Blues training camp for fitness work.

Asked if he was fit to turn out against England, he replied: "I'm not fit yet but maybe I will be for the next game. My obligation is to be here, and it's supported by FIFA. The people who need to understand each other are the Brazil national team and the club, not the player.

"When I am with Brazil it is like being back at home and being with your family.

"I am so happy with my club. People talk a lot but the truth is I'm trying to be happy to play again.

“It is important that I do a good job for my club so I can play for my country.

“My club pays me but I always want to be with the national team when they meet up and I don't want a problem with my club or the national team.”

Meanwhile, Brazil coach Dunga has urged City to “show respect” to the five-times world champions in the simmering international row.

Robinho travelled from City's training camp in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening with club doctor Jamie Butler to have the problem assessed by the Brazilian medical staff in Doha.

Hughes had been expecting Robinho to travel back yesterday but Butler returned alone and Robinho has been training with his international team-mates.

He has ruled himself out of the game with Fabio Capello's side but not Tuesday's international with Oman – just four days before City take on Liverpool in a crucial Premier League clash.

Dunga is unhappy with City's approach and said: “People need to know we are the five-times world champions. It is Brazil we are talking about.

“They have got to have respect for us. They just can't come to the team hotel and try and take the player away.

“There is a hierarchy here that needs to be respected.

“We brought Robinho here so the doctors can be near to him and they are famous for getting the players fit quickly.”