Robinho joins Santos on loan

Manchester City forward Robinho has returned to Santos on a six-month loan.

City confirmed in a statement on their website that the Brazilian club will pay all of the player's wages and bonuses for the period, which begins immediately and ends on 4th August.

Manager Roberto Mancini said: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."

The 26-year-old, who began his career at Santos, will leave for Brazil on Sunday.

Robinho joined City from Real Madrid in the summer of 2008 for a British record transfer fee of £32.5m, the club's first big signing under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.

tailed off

The Brazil forward initially impressed at City and ended his first season as the club's top scorer with 15 goals.

But his form tailed off and he was often criticised for his performances away from Eastlands.

This season he has struggled to hold down a first-team place, first under Mark Hughes and latterly under new manager Mancini.

Robinho has made no secret in recent days of his desire to return to his old club as he seeks to consolidate his place in the Brazil side ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The player's last appearance came in the 4-2 FA Cup win over Scunthorpe United at the weekend, an occasion he marked with a goal.

Frank Lampard is the best midfielders in the world

The England star notched two goals in Chelsea's 3-0 win at home to Birmingham City on Wednesday night.

Florent Malouda opened the scoring in the fifth minute but a brace from Lampard helped move Chelsea one point ahead of Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a match in hand.

Ancelotti singled Lampard out for special praise and the former West Ham United star now has 10 goals under his belt for the season.

Ancelotti said: "We use all the pitch to attack and so Frank is able to run into the box to score. I think he's the best running midfielder in the world. He has this fantastic quality to time his run into the box.

"It's good we are back at the top. We have one more point with a game in hand on United and two points more than Arsenal.

"That's important because on Sunday United play Arsenal. Maybe we can improve our position on Saturday.

"Our philosophy and aims won't change - to play good football and win. We won't change. We'll maintain the same system."