MANCHESTER, England (AP)

Manchester City forward Robinho has urged manager Mark Hughes to reinforce the squad with more Brazilian players.

The 24-year-old forward, who joined City for a British record fee in September, wants the squad to be strengthened in the January transfer window.

Hughes has been reluctant to discuss his targets, but Robinho revealed at least one name yesterday.

"We have good players but if the club wants to be big, we have to sign more," Robinho told Setanta Sports. "I have suggested Kleber, the Santos left back, Thiago Silva who plays at centre back for Fluminense, who's been playing very well. The coach (Hughes) mentioned Luisao, who is Brazilian and plays for Benfica."

Premier move

Luisao, a 26-year-old centre back who won the Copa America in 2004 and Confederations Cup the following year with Brazil, has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old Silva is one of Brazil's most promising stars, and has been a constant name in Brazil's national squad. The speedy central defender left Brazil early in his career to play for Porto's "B" squad in Portugal and later had a brief stint with Dynamo Moscow. He has been a starter at Fluminense since 2006.

Kleber, a 28-year-old left back, is known for his above-average accuracy on crosses. He was a member of Corinthians when it won the inaugural club world championship in 2000. He has also played for FC Basel.

While Robinho has scored nine goals since his move from Real Madrid, he is concerned about the fragility of a defence that has leaked six goals in the last eight Premier League matches.

Improve defence

"The team needs to improve the defence," Robinho said. "When you build a house you have to start from the floor. You have to start from the bottom, the defence, and then you fix the attack.

"Who would I sign? If I could choose it would be Kaka and (former Brazil striker) Ronaldo."

AC Milan playmaker Kaka last week said he had been speaking to Robinho and Elano, another of City's Brazil forwards, about moving to the Premier League.

City, which was taken over by a wealthy group from the United Arab Emirates and is expected to buy new players in the January transfer window, lost to Manchester United 1-0 Sunday.

"City have good players but the mentality of a small side," Robinho said. "They are content with just finishing fifth or sixth. They are content with little, thinking just a draw might be good enough. They lack the mentality of champions. I have learned that being second is worthless so I want to inspire a winning mentality.

"You can only be content with winning. You need to want to beat Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. Maybe I have changed this a bit but now City have a project to become big, the mentality has to change."