MARK Hughes reckons his City squad are adapting to the regime change quicker than he expected.

The new boss is still looking for a first point in charge after home losses against Mansfield and Swindon.

But as he prepares the team for the tough test at leaders Forest Green on Saturday, Hughes has been encouraged by how well the players are responding to his different approach.

Hughes has only been in the Valley Parade hot-seat a fortnight. But he felt City’s showing against Swindon showed the progress that he has already made in altering the style of play.

He said: “We were a little bit concerned before the game whether we’d given them enough information or maybe too much and too many ideas to cope with.

“I understood totally that it could have been really difficult for them to go from one school of thought to another and it might take time.

“But I have to say they were excellent in recognising when we could play, when we had to clear our lines and when there were opportunities to build good passages of play.

“Their selection of moments to do the things we’d talked about was excellent.

“For them to produce what they did, with the level and quality, was really pleasing for me.

“Fair play to all the lads. It was a good marker for us but now we’ve got to go on again.”

Only Leyton Orient have worse current form in League Two than City, whose last-gasp loss to Swindon was their fifth on the bounce.

Hughes addressed his players earlier this week about keeping their heads up after their latest setback – and sensed a positive response because of the way they had performed.

“For me, it was all about the performance,” he added. “You want the result, of course, to give you validation for the work we’ve been putting in but everybody saw we were a little bit more progressive.

“We dominated the possession against a team that’s renowned for having a possession-based game. That’s a huge step for us and ultimately the players enjoyed what they were doing.

“They had more control, our play wasn’t as frenetic and when we did attack it was with purpose and thought.”

Hughes will have more options to play with as the casualty numbers begin to ease.

Jamie Walker and Nathan Delfouneso are back in contention for the trip to Gloucestershire.

Liam Ridehalgh, who has not featured since going off at half-time during City's last win at Stevenage, is also getting closer after following the concussion protocols.

Under FA rules, players must take a fortnight’s complete break from any involvement and then a minimum of a further 19 days before being clear to play.

“We’ve still got a few to come back,” said Hughes. “I’m encouraged with what the guys are saying in the treatment room but we’re still missing a few.

“Obviously, we’ve got Charles Vernam and the likes of Lee Angol who I haven’t seen on the training pitch yet.

"It will be nice to get them back training so we can see their qualities.

“I had a big, long list of injuries when I came in but thankfully it seems to be clearing now. Hopefully that continues.”