MICAH Richards was given the key to the door on Wednesday and he intends to use it to unlock Premier League and international success.

The City defender celebrated his 21st birthday with nothing more exciting than a training session under the watchful eye of England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and an early night at the team hotel in Varberg, a quiet seaside town with which Richards is more than familiar having been stationed there on a Blues pre-season tour under another former manager Sven Goran-Eriksson.

Richards hopes to mark the passing of his milestone birthday in style this evening by helping England's impressive young lions past their Swedish hosts and into the final of the European Championships against either Germany or Italy.

The Blues Academy graduate, who in the course of last season went beyond another landmark when he clocked top-flight appearance No 100 for his club, has already left his imprint on this competition having scored the winner in the opening group contest against Finland.

He sat out the last match with a minor knock but is raring to go tonight in Gothenburg. He could be one of three City players in the side with Nedum Onuoha and Joe Hart, soon to go on loan with Premier League returnees Birmingham City, also primed for a recall after sitting out the 1-1 draw with the Germans.

Richards is determined to use the current tournament as a springboard for success with City and has told fans that he believes they will see the best of him when domestic hostilities resume in August.

Tournament

"On a personal level this tournament has been great," he said. "I began to find my feet towards the end of the season with City and have been able to continue that. I'm now gearing up for what I hope will be my biggest and best season yet for the club.

"It feels like yesterday that I made my debut for City and I can remember the nerves as I warmed up before coming on in my first game. It's strange as well in that you think, when you're just starting out, that those nerves will go away as you find your feet in the first-team, but actually you still get them. I can't complain about the way things have gone in the four years since breaking into the senior squad, and I've been really lucky to have the opportunity to get as much experience as I have already.

"My birthday celebrations have been kept to a minimum as we're training intensively ready for the semi-final. I'll have a meal with family and friends when I get back to England too, but obviously I'm keeping all eyes on the tournament as we've got a great chance of winning it.

"I was on the bench for the game against Germany due to a slight knock I picked up in the previous game, but all being well I will shake that off and play my part against Sweden. They've looked impressive so far and it will be a tough match, but we're full of confidence and truly believe we can beat anybody."

Richards is hoping that he is teamed up alongside Blues' pal Onuoha who enjoyed an outstanding end to the campaign with City.

"Me and 'Chief' have a really good understanding," declared Richards. "I came through the academy with him so we do have a strong understanding, he is a great player and I really enjoy playing alongside him."

Onuoha is extra keen to make sure tonight's match isn't his last in an Under-21 shirt in what will be his tournament swansong with the age group.

"This is the end of my stint with the Under 21s so it would be nice to go out with a bang," declared the 22-year-old.

"We have a really tight knit party. I have been very lucky this year because both at City and with England Under-21s there have been the best player atmosphere that I have been involved in.

Experience

"This Under-21 team's base has come from the Under-19 squad that came second in the European Championships so we have experience of being together and the demands of tournament play. It has been a case of so far so good. It would be great to win something for the country.

"These opportunities don't come along very often, and it's very exciting for players so we really want us to make the most of it."

So, too, does boss Pearce, who believes that he and the team are on an upward curve.

"I believe I am definitely better, and I believe the squad are as well," said the coach ahead of the last four clash.

"The squad is tighter than two years ago when we reached the same stage, and the important thing is that the players feel that as well. We've got more knowledge going into this."

Do you think Richards and Onuoha will be City mainstays for years to come? Have your say.