MANCHESTER City boss Mark Hughes expects to be without Roque Santa Cruz until the end of August.

Hughes spent £17million to lure the Paraguayan from Blackburn Rovers, but was already aware his City debut would be put on hold due to knee surgery.

Santa Cruz will now miss an early return to Ewood Park for City’s first game ofthe season at Rovers on Saturday and, with Emmanuel Adebayor having since been recruited from Arsenal, Hughes has no need to push the 27-year-old back into action too soon.

Instead, the City chief intends to let Santa Cruz recover at his own pace in the hope his side will gain long-term benefits.

“We knew Roque would have a period of rehabilitation when we signed him, but we have good options up front,” Hughes said.

“If we can, we want to give him the time he really needs, rather than getting him back early and having him at 70 per cent.

“Rather than bring him back too soon I would rather give him the time that he needs. We are hoping by the end of the month he will be available.”