Micah Richards has been released from hospital following a sickening aerial collision with Manchester City team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

The England defender was left concussed after the clash a minute into the second half of yesterday's 3-0 victory over West Ham, but fears about a neck injury have been allayed following a scan.

Richards, who was treated on the pitch for eight minutes before regaining consciousness in the tunnel, will now be regularly checked by doctors over the next few days.

However, he looks certain to miss the Uefa Cup match against FC Midtjylland in Denmark on Thursday when City are aiming to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

City regrouped against West Ham - who had Mark Noble sent off in the first half - with new recruit Vincent Kompany moving seamlessly into defence from midfield.

Hughes saw his side go on to record a comfortable victory thanks to brace from Elano after Daniel Sturridge had made the breakthrough.

The City boss took time out to praise Kompany and said: "I knew he was a good player and you saw that as well.

"You always hope that when you introduce someone who hasn't plied their trade in the Premier League they will make an instant impact.

"Vincent has presence, an understanding of the game and he recognises danger when those situations occur. He nips these things in the bud.

"He has the flexibility I like in players and the ability to play in a number of positions. His performance was key to our victory."

With owner Thaksin Shinawatra and members of his family looking on, City bounced back from the defeat by Aston Villa to put themselves in good heart for the European game.

Hughes said: "This was a big win for us. Irrespective of the fact West Ham went down to 10 men so early, I felt we were in control.

"There was a real determination in our play and a willingness to ask questions of the opposition.

"It was a good all-round performance and once we got our noses in front there was always going to be one winner."

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley - who revealed the club had accepted a bid from Sunderland for defender Anton Ferdinand - was again without a number of key men through injury but was disappointed at the way his side caved in during the second half.

He said: "I do not think any one of my players can hold their hands up and say they performed.

"Given the personnel we have available, I do not think we were equipped to play with 10 men.

"We needed to defend in the second half with our lives and the first goal is always important.

"It was a poor clearance and the boy (Sturridge) has finished it well and it was backs to the wall after that."