Manchester City Football Club News

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:48,000

Richards assured over future

24 May 2009 - 12:37:36

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has dismissed reports that he could sell Micah Richards in the summer.

Richards, 20, has endured a mixed season on the pitch, while there was suggestions of a rift with Hughes following an alleged training ground bust-up last month.

The full-back remains on the periphery of the England team after losing his place in the squad following Fabio Capello's appointment as head coach.

But despite his patchy form this season, Hughes claims that Richards definitely has a future at Eastlands.

"We are not looking to sell Micah Richards," he claimed. "There are certain players here who have a real empathy for the club and Micah is one of those.

"He has come through the ranks here and he is the kind of player we want to keep because I feel we need to build a team around players who have that bond with City.

"In the last three or four games Micah has been getting back to something like the level he can produce.

"It has been an extremely inconsistent season for him - like it has for a number of our players - but people have to understand how young he still is.

"Since Micah burst on the scene he has had nothing but success and this season people have questioned him.

"That can be hard for young players to take but it is part of the learning process. He will be stronger as a person and as a player.

"You can see he is coming out the other side of it now. Next season I expect he will be a better player."