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"Neil's last cap was recognition for all the hard work he has put in with Wigan this year and he has come on in leaps and bounds this season," Hughes told the Wigan Evening Post.
"I had kept close tabs on his progress this season and I was well aware how well he was doing, so when I drafted Neil in against Azerbaijan, I had absolutely no worries that he would cope.
"He came on late on against Azerbaijan and he looked really comfortable.
"It doesn't seem two minutes ago that I gave him his first cap for Wales, but I really believe Neil has a big international future because he is improving all the time."
Latics manager Paul Jewell agrees Hughes, saying: "Neil's a cracking pro and it is pleasing when someone works so hard and gets their reward.
"Robbo is never going to score you a million goals but he contributes such an awful lot to the team.
"He has done really well this season and we are delighted with his progress."