The Welsh firebrand returns to boyhood idols Liverpool on Saturday eager to show Rafael Benitez what he missed out on.

Bellamy thought he was in dreamland when Benitez lured him to Merseyside from Blackburn. In the end, an ill-fated 12 month stint just became mired in controversy after an infamous clash with John Arne-Riise that earned Bellamy the nickname 'Nutter with the Putter' and accusations that his relationship with Benitez was non-existent.

Certainly, while his nine goals in 41 appearances earned him a semblance of respect from the Kop, he has done much better at City, where he took his tally to 10 in 23 matches in the recent draw with Burnley.

Having worked with Bellamy at Blackburn and City, as well as at international level with Wales, Hughes knows better than most what makes the 30-year-old tick.

And the Blues chief is adamant Bellamy has never been in better form.

"Every time I have been involved with Craig, he has produced," said Hughes.

"From our point of view, that is fantastic because, arguably, he is playing some of the best football he has ever produced.

"He knows he has a platform and the players around him that would allow him to be as successful as he knows he can be.

"Craig left Blackburn because he wanted to be successful and win trophies. When he left Liverpool maybe he hadn't quite fulfilled the ambition that he had.

"This is another opportunity and you sense it is one he does not want to let pass him by."

Reducing his commitments with Wales seem to be one of the ways Bellamy has found to prolong his career, which he admits may not last beyond a couple of seasons given the chronic state of his knees.

And Hughes has also ensured help is on hand to quell potential flashpoints, which used to occur so regularly when Bellamy was around.

"Craig is a big influence in the dressing room," he reflected.

"But he also has a very demanding personality and, more often than not, he will say things that are incorrect.

"What you have to remember is that he doesn't bear grudges.

"When people react to what he says too quickly, it can escalate. But he has people around him now that understand him.

"When he reacts in an adverse way it is nipped in the bud very quickly. I think he is grateful for that."

Although he missed last week's friendly in Abu Dhabi in order not to aggravate his knee, Bellamy seems certain to be in the starting line-up against Liverpool given Martin Petrov has been ruled out and £32.5million record signing Robinho is unlikely to be risked.

As common sense prevailed and Robinho did not end up making his comeback for Brazil, either against England last Saturday or Oman three days later, after a near three-month absence with an ankle injury, the striker has been able to maintain his improvement on the training ground.

His performances have been enough to confirm his place in Hughes' travelling party for Merseyside. But his actual comeback may have to wait until the visit of Hull next week.

"It is important Robinho is back with the group," said Hughes.

"Saturday could be a little bit early for him but certainly he is in the frame for next week's game."

After a run of five successive draws, City are eager for a victory against possibly the most likely of the established top four to fall from their lofty perch.

Not that Hughes is taking anything for granted.

"There is a demand on Liverpool," he said. "They are expected to be successful. That has been there for decades.

There is a fear of failure in the sense of not allowing themselves to think of the consequences of losing games.

"After a run of drawn games it is the perfect match for us.

"We have to be playing at our best to get a positive result and I am sure the reverse is true.

"They will be looking to prove a few people wrong."