Manchester City's Micah Richards has no regrets about missing England's Euro 2012 campaign and cannot wait to represent Britain at the Olympics.
The 24-year-old defender is one of three overage players in Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad for London 2012. The City defender would have almost certainly joined up with Roy Hodgson's side when injuries struck had he not refused to go on standby, but it is not something he regrets.
"I didn't get picked in the team and once I wasn't picked in the squad this chance with GB came around and I wanted to go to the Games," Richards said.
"It is always an honour to represent your country. It's not just England, it's GB so it is something new."
While Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy had been widely expected to be included, the selection of Richards was as much of a surprise as him being left out of England's squad for Euro 2012.
"I've just been relaxing this summer," Richards said. "It was nice to get a break away and relax for a couple of weeks or, in fact, a lot longer than that."
Richards comes into the tournament fresh from helping Manchester City to a first league title in 44 years.
Now Richards is hoping he can cap a superb couple of months with an Olympic medal.
"We'll have to wait and see [whether we can get a gold]," he said. "We're confident and I think we've got a good squad.
"There are a couple of boys that have never played together so there is that aspect but we're looking forward to it and will give 100%."
Source: PA
