Manchester City face another test of their top-four credentials as they take on league leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
City are stuttering with a record-equalling run of draws. Lately, they were condemned to their seventh in a row by Jimmy Bullard's equaliser at the KC Stadium in a match against Hull City, and they remain three points adrift of fourth place despite having lost just once all season.
However, City will now be determined to return to winning ways in the league and show they can challenge the best sides in the division.
Hughes fielded a strong team against the Gunners and is unlikely to make many changes for the visit of Chelsea.
Mark Hughes, however, has doubts over Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland. The pair picked up knee injuries in Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Arsenal and are rated as extremely doubtful.
Vladimir Weiss, who scored his first senior goal in midweek, is also unlikely to figure after being laid low by tonsillitis but Martin Petrov and Nigel de Jong should be available after missing out on the Arsenal triumph.
As Chelsea are on a run of eight straight victories against their fellow blues, the visitors' will start favourites.
However, Blackburn eliminated them from the Carling Cup on penalties, marking a huge dent in league leaders winning streak and established form.
The Blues will want to rediscover the form that saw them cruise to a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium last Sunday and stay five points clear at the top.
Chelsea arrive having won their last eight games against City, scoring 19 goals in the process and conceding just one
Ashley Cole will return for Chelsea's match with rivals Manchester City.
Cole (hamstring) was missing from Wednesday's Carling Cup loss at Blackburn but will return to a starting XI that is likely to include several changes from the Blackburn defeat.
Salomon Kalou (thigh), Daniel Sturridge (knee), Alex (hip) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) are all unavailable.
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