• Premier League

Richards boosts Man City ahead of Arsenal clash

ESPN staff
December 14, 2011
Micah Richards was in sparkling form prior to injury © Getty Images
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Roberto Mancini is confident Micah Richards will be available for Manchester City's clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

City have a number of problems at full-back, with Aleksandar Kolarov out for a month with a groin injury and Gael Clichy suspended after his dismissal during Monday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

That could have meant a rare appearance for Wayne Bridge or Nedum Onuoha, or moving Joleon Lescott to left-back, but Mancini is optimistic that Richards will recover from his calf injury and be able to feature alongside Pablo Zabaleta.

"I think Micah will be OK for Sunday," Mancini said. "Then we have Pablo, who can play on the left."

City take on Arsenal at home as they look to recover from their first loss of the season. "We don't have a problem bouncing back," Mancini said. "I am sure we will. We play Arsenal on Sunday. At this moment, Arsenal are playing very well. It will be difficult but we need to start again."

"After 15 games we are on the top, with two more points than United. The season is long. We have said that before. We are strong enough to start winning again and one result doesn't change anything. We know if we want to win, we should continue to play well, like we did at Chelsea."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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