Richards warning for team-mates

18 April 2009 11:29
Micah Richards believes a summer spending spree at Manchester City will leave team-mates who are not committed to the club facing uncertain futures. The defender hopes Eastlands owner Sheikh Mansour will be flexing his substantial chequebook at the end of the season as the club bid to become a major force. City failed in a world-record attempt to sign AC Milan's Kaka in the winter transfer window, and they are expected to chase alternative star recruits. And Richards feels the arrival of new faces in Mark Hughes' squad will leave players fighting for their places at City. He said in The Sun: "Hopefully we can bring more players in this summer who are ready to fight for the team. Positives "It will do some players good, others not so good. But if we want to move forward, those who can't hack it will have to go." Richards, though, insists he does not want to leave City, adding: "I still feel this is the place to be for me. I'm still learning my game. This season hasn't been as good as I hoped but feel happy again." City were eliminated from the Uefa Cup on Thursday after a narrow 4-3 aggregate defeat to Hamburg in the competition's quarter-finals. And Richards is eager for another shot at European glory as 11th-placed City - who host West Brom on Sunday - look to secure a top-seven Premier League finish. He added: "We went out of the Uefa Cup with our heads held high as we deserved to win, and maybe win by more, against a top quality side. "We will try to take the positives from this clash. We still have a chance of a top-seven position in the league and getting back into the competition next season."

Source: SKY_Sports