Mark Hughes is not too worried about being without Emmanuel Adebayor against West Ham tonight because his Manchester City players need to get used to it.

Adebayor will complete the final match of a three-match suspension picked up for his facial attack on Robin van Persie.

The disciplinary problems are not over for the £25million striker either given he is still to face an improper conduct charge brought by the FA following the Togo international’s controversial goal celebration against his old club Arsenal two weeks ago.

Yet Hughes is looking much further forward, to the African Cup of Nations in January, when Adebayor could be missing for an entire month.

“Ade has been a big part of the start that we have been able to achieve,” said the City boss.

“But at times during the season, certainly when he is on international duty next year, we will have to go into games without him.

“We may as well get used to being without him and making sure we understand what we have to do when he is not around.”