Manchester City Football Club News

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• Manager:Roberto Mancini

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Richards targets swift return

12 Mar 2008 - 07:39:44

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes he could return from knee surgery ahead of schedule.

The 19-year-old England international was expected to miss at least six weeks following an operation to repair cartilage damage to his right knee at the end of last month.

However, Richards believes he will be back quicker than anticipated after making swift progress in the first few weeks of his rehabilitation.

"I had the operation nearly two weeks ago and things are looking good. Hopefully, I could be back even sooner than the six weeks," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"The operation was something that couldn't be avoided. I played in the derby at Old Trafford with it hurting.

"In the second half I picked up an ankle knock as well, so I was a wreck by the end of the game.

"After the Everton match (on February 25) the knee was swollen like a balloon and I couldn't carry on.

"The medical advice was to get it done before the end of the season and that is what I did. It is for the best in the long term.

"I hate missing games, especially at such a crucial time but I will be giving it 100 per cent to be fit as soon as I possibly can.

"I will be back, and I will be back with a bang."

Meanwhile, Richards has denied reports suggesting he was willing to leave City had talks over a new contract not been resolved.

The academy graduate recently agreed a new five-year deal and claims he was always 100 per cent committed to the club.

"The talk about my contract had become quite annoying to be honest," he continued.

"It wasn't as though I was in the last year of my old deal. I still had two-and-a-half years to go and some players only sign for that amount of time.

"Now I am glad it is all over, the deal has been signed. There has only ever been one place I wanted to be, and that's City."