ROBINHO will ask for a January move away from Manchester City if he fails to get a regular place back in Mark Hughes' first team.
Given the form of Craig Bellamy, there is every chance it will be a struggle for the forward to regain his spot.
Robinho, 25, will demand a switch to Barcelona as he cannot afford to jeopardise his place in the Brazil team ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.
The player's representatives are already pushing for the move to the Catalan giants and Champions League holders.
And Barca are ready to match the £32.5million City paid Real Madrid for him last year in a British transfer record.
Robinho has been out with a stress fracture of his ankle since August.
In that time, Bellamy has been sensational, playing as an attacking left winger or second striker.
The Welsh international scored once in the 4-2 victory against Arsenal, twice in the Manchester derby loss and netted the equaliser in City's last outing against Aston Villa.
Robinho returns from injury in a week but faces a huge battle to regain his position.
He started the first three games of the season but was substituted in each one.
In his first campaign with the club, he scored 14 league goals - 11 at home.
Robinho often went missing in physical games and his displays away from home left a lot to be desired.
