Micah Richards targets February return

Manchester City defender Micah Richards has revealed that he is hoping to return from a knee injury in February.

The 24-year-old suffered the injury in his side's 1-0 victory over Swansea at the end of October and he was subsequently ruled out for four months, but the full-back is targeting a return to action a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Richards told the club's official website: "I am not putting a date on when I will be back because these things are never exact but I am hoping it will be in early February.

"There is still not too much I can do but I am now on one crutch instead of two so that is progress.

"Of course it is frustrating and there is nothing more I would like than to be out there playing but I am being well looked after, the injury is responding and the knee getting stronger every day."

Richards joined Manchester City as a trainee in 2001.