EMMANUEL Adebayor's one-man war with Arsenal in September brought his storming form to a halt.

And now City boss Mark Hughes is hoping that the re-match with the Gunners, in tonight's Carling Cup quarter-final, will stoke up the big striker's fires once again.

Hughes believes that Adebayor's early-season form had him marked down as one of the hottest strike properties in the league. But then, on an emotional Eastlands afternoon, he ended up with two FA charges, for a stamp on former teammate Robin van Persie and a joyous goal celebration which sparked angry scenes among visiting Arsenal fans.

He ended up with a three-match ban for the former offence and a suspended two-match ban for the latter, as well as a typhoon of bad publicity, most of it unwarranted.

Since coming back, Adebayor has picked up an ankle injury which has inhibited his effectiveness, but Hughes also feels that the ban itself disrupted his momentum.

"At the time of the Arsenal game he was playing as well as any forward I have seen in the Premier League in recent years," said Hughes. "He has had an injury, which has been a factor, but since he has come back from the suspension he hasn't reached the same level.

"There is no reason he can't get back up to speed tonight and again at the weekend. They are two huge games for us and everyone in the team realises their significance."

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Hughes had a quiet chat with Adebayor after the incidents in the last game, but said he felt no need to remind the player of his responsibilities ahead of tonight's game.

"We discussed that in the past and I don't think it needs to be revisited," said Hughes, who made it plain that there had never been a question of leaving him out.

"Everyone has had an opinion about what happened on that day. We drew a line under it. It is a new game against different personnel in terms of the team Arsenal are likely to pick and I don't think there is an issue."

Adebayor was widely condemned, although some commentators - including Ipswich boss Roy Keane and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp - pointed out that the Arsenal fans who reacted violently should have been the focus of the criticism.

And Hughes says that Adebayor's contrition about the incident involving van Persie, after the controversy overshadowed the Blues' 4-2 win, has been passed over.

"He was very apologetic immediately and people ignored that in the aftermath of what went on and the comments that were made," said Hughes. "He apologised to the boy involved, he took his punishment, as he had to, and we move on."

City are set to welcome Craig Bellamy back tonight, although Hughes was yesterday still weighing up which two out of the Welsh ace, Robinho and Carlos Tevez, should play. Gareth Barry is also a doubt after reporting a knee injury.

Scans showed up no problem, but the England man, who has also been troubled by groin trouble, may be missing.

Hughes is also pondering his options at right back, with Nedum Onuoha a possible inclusion after Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards have both suffered loss of form.