Robinho could make a shock return to Manchester City before the end of the season.

He is reported to be at the centre of a row over whether Santos, where the Blues star is on a six-month loan, and two sponsors have reached a deal over his salary.

And, unless Santos can finalise the sponsorship deals worth £375,000 a month, the whole loan move could collapse, leaving the British record transfer buy no option but to return to the Blues.

City allowed the star to leave on loan in January, providing Santos met his wages, after he fell behind Craig Bellamy in the pecking order.

Santos and Robinho's advisor Evandro Souza are playing down the issue, and have dismissed reports in Brazil that Robinho did not receive his salary for his first month with the championship chasing club.

Robinho has pulled out of Thursday night's Brazilian Cup tie at Remo with a thigh problem.

The initial diagnosis was that he would be fit to face New York Red Bulls in a friendly to open their stadium in New Jersey at the weekend, but he was ruled out of that game as well as the next two league games.

Santos announced in January they would fund Robinho's wages by lining up three major sponsors, all of whom would benefit from using the player's image.

One of those deals is reported to have fallen through and the other two - with shirt sleeve sponsor Seara and German car giants Volkswagen - have yet to be finalised, although Santos claim they are close to an agreement with Seara.

Santos could not come close to affording Robinho, who was City's biggest earner on a weekly-salary thought to be around £160,000-a-week, without support from the sponsors.

They average crowds of around 10,000, and gate receipts from their last home match totalled £60,000.

Robinho has been quoted in the Brazilian media as saying he wants to extend his loan at Santos beyond its expiry on August 4 - but he has also paid the rental on his luxury Cheshire home until January of next year.

But Souza is playing down talk of a serious problem for now, and said on Tuesday that there has been no shortfall in his client's wages.

He said: "It is not the case. Santos have fulfilled their obligations up until this day, and so has Robinho."

Robinho, who is sure to figure for favourites Brazil in the World Cup, has been in excellent form, firing Santos to the top of their regional championship and last week said playing in Brazil made him happy.

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