Richards sidelined for six weeks after knee operation
Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 14:35
Richards aggravated an old injury during City's defeat to Everton
Manchester City defender Micah Richards will be out of action for six weeks after undergoing an operation on his injured right knee.
Richards suffered a recurrence of a cartilage injury he sustained earlier in the year while playing in City's 2-0 defeat against
Everton on Monday night.
"It's bad news," manager Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted to the club's website.
"He was operated on yesterday in London, and I spoke to the medical people both before and afterwards. They thought he would be out for six weeks beforehand, and they confirmed to me once it was completed."
The original injury caused Richards to miss two Premier League matches but it is not yet known how long the defender will be out for following the latest surgery.
However, according to Eriksson, the club's medical staff believe the England international "is a good and quick healer" and he could be back sooner than the initial diagnosis suggests.
Nevertheless it will mean City, who are chasing European qualification in the league this season, will be without one of their top defenders as well as their major playmaker in Martin Petrov, who is banned for three games following his sending off against the Toffees.
"Obviously this is a big blow, because we know how important [Richards] has been for us and we are without Martin Petrov for three games," Eriksson added.
"That's a big blow for us as well, we're talking about two of our best players so it's a pity."
Richards' absence could prove to be the heavier loss for City, however, as the 19-year-old has formed a formidable partnership with Richard Dunne at the heart of the City defence.
City have conceded just 31 league goals this season but that excellent record could be tested without their first-choice central-defensive pairing.
Since making his international debut at right-back last season Richards has developed into one of the most promising young defenders in England.
He recently committed his future to the Eastlands outfit, signing a deal that will keep him at the club until 2013.
City will hope games against bottom-half strugglers
Wigan Athletic and
Reading in their next two fixtures will mean Richards' absence is not felt too much.