Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has today revealed that he would like to see Brazilian midfielder Elano work hard and produce the consistent level of performance for his club.of which he is capable.

The Welshman also pointed out that Elano finds himself on the bench for the simple reason that there is someone better already filling his position in the team; namely, Stephen Ireland. Anyone who has seen City play this season will know that Ireland has been superb, both in terms of effort and skill, and that Elano's very public dissatisfaction earlier in the campaign did not contrast favourably with Ireland's professionalism and work ethic as far as Mark Hughes was concerned.

Elano produced a good display in scoring a goal for Brazil against Italy in a friendly international at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, and now Hughes has challenged the player to produce performances like that in City's sky blue shirt as well as the famous yellow one of his nation.

"Ela has played a large proportion of the games this year and has done well in a high percentage of them," Hughes told The Manchester Evening News.

"At the moment the reason he isn't starting games is the form of Stevie Ireland.

"At times that means Ela is frustrated. He is one of those players that find it difficult if he is not in the starting XI. There are a lot of players like that, in fairness I was exactly the same.

"I think he understands we are trying to build a squad and where the club wants to go. He has settled down in that respect. He has got a big part to play here and he knows that.

"Ela has the versatility I like and, as an attacking midfielder, he is excellent in that role."

Elano may be asked to play on the right hand side of a three-pronged front line for City this weekend against Portmsouth, as England international Shaun Wright-Phillips begins his controversial three-game ban for violent conduct.