Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists they can re-claim a place in Europe next season through their league position.
City are aiming to bounce back after losing 3-1 to Hamburg in the first leg match of the UEFA Cup quarter-final in midweek. With the return against the Bundesliga high-fliers scheduled for Thursday, next week is a big week for a club with lofty ambitions.
Hughes said: "We are still very much in the mix for the chase for the Europa League places and Sunday (against Fulham) is a very important game in that regard."
He added: "We will be looking to continue our cracking home form that has seen us win six times in succession.
"Preparation will not be easy because of the quick turn around and the fact that I am asking the same players to perform week in week out.
"I have to play them because we want the right quality on the pitch. At times our busy schedule compromises us."
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
