Aston Villa captain Micah Richards has revealed that he is keen to earn a recall to the England squad.
The 27-year-old defender, who joined Villa from Manchester City this summer, has not played for the Three Lions since featuring in a friendly defeat to the Netherlands in February 2012.
Richards has said that he wants to get regular football under his belt at Villa Park in the hope that it will lead to an international return.
"I'm hoping if I do get the chance then I can take it because when I'm fully fit I believe I'm as good as anyone in the England squad," he told Sport Magazine.
"That's not in a big-headed way, that's just what I believe and I think I've proved that. I was 18 when I played for England and I'm a much better player now than I was then. It's just how football is – people get certain chances and then everything changes.
"If Stuart Pearce was the manager now I'd probably be the first name on the team sheet, so it just depends. But I'm focusing on Villa now. I feel good and hopefully these niggly injuries are behind me."
Richards scored one goal in 13 England appearances after making his debut in 2006.
Steven Toplis
