Man City’s Roberto Mancini frustrated by Micah Richards absence

Roberto Mancini admits that he cannot understand why Manchester City right-back Micah Richards is still struggling to return to full fitness.

The England international, making his fourth appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle problem, suffered a serious knee injury in a 2-0 victory over Swansea City in October.

The 24-year-old was forced to undergo an operation on what was deemed to be a torn meniscus, and despite returning to training in February, Richards is struggling to gain full fitness.

“This is strange. I don’t know how it is possible, this. But we can do nothing. I think maybe in three or four weeks he will be ready,” said Mancini.

“I don’t know [the problem]. His knee was not 100 per cent. He continued to work. Now it is two months that he has been working.”

Mancini hopes to have Richards available for the title race’s climax, but the Italian conceded the defender would still take at least another three weeks to be match fit.

“When he starts to work with the team he needs another two weeks. I hope he can start with the team next week,” he added.

Richards has scored 10 goals in 228 appearances for the defending Premier League champions after making his Citizens debut against Arsenal in 2006.

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