Micah Richards to fight for his future

Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards is determined to stay at Eastlands and fight for a regular starting spot, despite being constantly linked with a move away from the club.

The versatile 22-year-old faces competition for a starting spot at right-back from Pablo Zabaleta and summer signing Jerome Boateng, but Richards is up for the challenge.

He told the club's official website:"There have been lots of things said and written about my future at City this summer.

"But I think from the effort I have put in during training and in the pre-season games that it is evident to everyone that I want to stay at City.

"It does affect your concentration when you are consistently linked with a move away or people are talking about you being replaced – especially as I have been here for so long.

"Sometimes you get a bit down when these things are constantly being said and I play best when I am happy and confident, which I am at the moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email