Hughes offered Palace trial

Last updated : 10 July 2003 By Brian Cartlidge
Hughes was brought on-loan to St. Andrew's from Wimbledon by Blues boss Steve Bruce Iin March 2002, on the basis that if Blues got promoted he would be offered a permanent deal.

However, after just three appearances he had to return to Wimbledon with an ankle injury.

Problems arose from thereonin after Blues managed to gain a place in the top-flight but didn't offer Hughes a permanent contract because he didn't complete the arranged three-month loan deal.

The 31-year-old midfielder didn't play a single game at all last season because of the disagreement between Wimbledon and Blues as to who should be paying his wages and confusion over which club held his registration preventing him from signing for another club.

"I'll definitely have a club for the start of next season," the midfielder told the BBC.

MICHAEL HUGHES RECENT CAREER HISTORY