But he is now back fit, recently signing a new contract which expires in the summer of 2014.
Hughes told his club's official website: "He's had a few injury problems but hopefully he's over them because they were holding him back. When I picked him at Arsenal, that came to the fore and we knew something significant was going on that needed to be addressed. Thankfully, we seem to have resolved that and he can start featuring for us."
Source: PA