Richards set for Barnsley test

Stuart Brennan

July 31, 2009

FOCUSED: Micah Richards

MICAH Richards will return to action for City in Saturday's friendly at Barnsley.

But Blues fans travelling to Oakwell in the hope of seeing new boys Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Kolo Toure pull on the shirt for the first time will be disappointed.

Manager Mark Hughes will give Tevez an extra week to recover from a heel problem he picked up in South Africa, and Santa Cruz may not figure in next week's pre-season games against Rangers and Celtic.

"Micah is the only one who we anticipate will probably play at the weekend," said Hughes, who takes his team to the League One side as a thank-you for the loan of their stadium for last season's UEFA Cup qualifier against EB Streymur.

"Carlos is a week away from returning to training and Roque probably a little longer than that.

"But they are progressing well, and there is no undue concern about where they are in their fitness levels."

Richards' return is a boost for Hughes after the England under-21 defender caught swine flu on holiday in Cyprus.

"Micah has come back and looked really strong. The illness he had was a setback but he seems to have bounced back from that and looks very focused," said Hughes. "We are looking forward to him being involved at the weekend."

The players had a staggered start to pre-season training, depending on how long their seasons were extended by international duties.

"We still have guys at different levels so we have to be mindful of that, but we have three good games in a week, will spread the workload and make sure everyone gets up to speed," said Hughes. "The key is to have everyone fit for the first day of the season."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Blue Moon..., Manchester (31/07/2009 at 10:02)

RSC will be available a maximum of 15 games this season.

Its a joke.

Uwe the Goat, Brighton (31/07/2009 at 10:24)

Come on Richards! Time to kick on and show everyone the potential of two seasons ago was genuine.

Free Ian Brown, Denton (31/07/2009 at 10:26)

RSC injured? Didn't see that one coming.

manchester city (31/07/2009 at 10:31)

roque is still injured what a silly buy for hughes this could cost him dear once RSC is ruled out for the season hope not though. dear dear me

manchester city (31/07/2009 at 10:32)

for those 6% of people who say lescott is worth 20+m you must be crazy letrs compare him to rio ferdinand as much as it hurts me to say it but hes not even in the same class.

CITY WILL TEAR US APART, manchester (31/07/2009 at 10:53)

How did Cruz and Tevez pass medicals? we need them playing so they can begin to gel with other players, i can see us having a slow start to the season i just hope fellow blues give the players time i know the media wont

Spike,, Whitefield (31/07/2009 at 11:00)

Excellent..............

Portsmouth Blue (31/07/2009 at 11:14)

Come on Micah prove your doubters wrong as for this RSC news is this a ploy ?

Bert is my hero, Cheshire! (31/07/2009 at 11:35)

"How did Cruz and Tevez pass medicals?" CITY WILL TEAR US APART @ 10.53 Cruz passed a medical because there's nothing wrong with him and no injury. He is in rehab after surgery to "clean out" his knee, something the club knew all about when he signed as did most fans. There are those, however, who love to complain whenever there's half a chance. Tevez passed his medical because there was nothing wrong with him either - he hurt his heel and bruised the bone while in the shower of his hotel room in South Africa. Would you prefer to classify them as "dead wood" and ship them out before the season begins?

The Kippax Kid, Irlam (Now London) (31/07/2009 at 11:52)

I thought RSC was recovering from an operation? If this is the case, I would say it is slight different than being injured (in a weird kind of way).

Batmanho, Robinhos big brother, Bat Cave, Brazil (31/07/2009 at 12:18)

Come on MH, admit that RSC is nowhere near fit. Who the hell passed him fit at the all important medical we were told that it was essential for him to pass prior to signing him? I have been thoroughly impressed with how the management team have conducted themselves and gone about their business during the close season, but I still require convincing that we haven't bought a duffer in RSC. Hope I'm wrong, but gut feeling says no!

jo alves (31/07/2009 at 12:18)

Well said bert is my Hero, it does amase me how these people only beleive what they read, makes me wonder how they get on in life when they cant think for them selves, makes me wonder how they get to the ground sometimes surely they dont beleive the map is real !!! CFL.

CITY WILL TEAR US APART, manchester (31/07/2009 at 12:34)

Bert is my hero, Cheshire!
31/07/2009 at 11:35

i did not fully understand how they are injured already. i hope they are fine and we get behind them all if they do not click straight away for the first few games. i was just asking how they pass a medical if not fully fir, no negativity in my comments just a question, if you bothered to read the rest of my comment you will see i am hoping we give them the time and chance to gel before some on here start chantiong for heads to roll

Duke of Earl, Middleton (31/07/2009 at 12:36)

RSC will be available a maximum of 15 games this season.

Its a joke.
Blue Moon..., Manchester
31/07/2009 at 10:02

And if we win them it will be 45 points, not so much of a joke then considering Hughes aims to rotate players anyway

Paul Power's Tash, Haslingden (31/07/2009 at 12:57)

Patience....guys.

Last season we were desperately short of quality in the striker department and had to rush Boj back from a season long injury to fill in the hole up front for the early season UEFA Cup games.

This time we have injuries, but lots of decent quality cover.
This season will be better by virtue of allowing injured players, like SWP & Kompany last season, to recuperate before throwing them back in the team.

Tommy "Chopper" C, Oz. (31/07/2009 at 14:15)

Tevez injured his heel in the shower in SA eh? Didn`t hear that one, as far as I knew the heel was injured prior to the SA trip and his presence was merely a PR exercise and a meet and greet with his new team mates. How the hell do you injure your heel in the shower anyway?

As for RSC, the omens don`t look good do they, in fairness though the type of surgery he had is relatively minor , so perhaps we shouldn`t read too much into it. Fancy Richards to play at centre half due to injuries to Ned and Dunney, it would be nice to see Johnson get through an hour and I hope SWP looks a bit fitter than he looked in SA. Fully expect to see all the `for sale` players in the window for this one, TBH, Kelvin, Petrov, Garido etc

MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (31/07/2009 at 15:11)

Just back from watching City train, no RSC,no Tevez no Barry, a few strapped up including Dunne. Good news Adebayor looks a tricky customer, more impressive was Toure, he's lightening quick, he was there while Dunne was thinking about it, Ned looked good alongside him. Goalkeeping department looked very strong.

Rick Jenks, Bury (31/07/2009 at 16:08)

MAN-KEY UNION Are we allowed in Carrington to watch the team train? Id like to go but dont want a wasted journey.

Stonefish, Collin Bell Stand watching the magic! (31/07/2009 at 18:38)

My Birthday tomorrow and have decided to pop of to Oakwell with my lass, I'm suffering from football cold turkey! Hope Ade's and Kolo are playing and it isn't just like a car boot sale! How many people are going tomorrow only 18 post on here is it that popular!!!

TruBlu132 (31/07/2009 at 19:27)

I personally believe Micah will be immense this season. He looked better and better at the end of last and with a better team around him, will really push him to the next level.

Come on Micah, prove me right!

MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (31/07/2009 at 21:47)

Rick jenks Bury @ 16:08 Rick I know you enquired last season regarding the same, you're not allowed in the training complex(It was permitted once a week when Sven was manager) but if you park in Sale Rugby training complex (obviously respect their parking priority, park in the first bays as you enter the facility) make your way around and between the complex and the farm building,then position yourself close to the action on the perimeter fence. Keep in mind they have a day off after the match and away games also alter the training schedule.

MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (31/07/2009 at 22:49)

Ps Rick jenks, get yourself down there about 10:45, failing that take yourself down to Eastlands this coming thursday @2 o'clock for the "OPEN HOUSE" see MCFC website.

Kinky's Boots, M20 (31/07/2009 at 23:56)

Don't be at it...RSC will line up against celtic!!

Kinky's Boots, M20 (31/07/2009 at 23:57)

He's hardly gonna put his posh new signings up against a load of 3rd tier hackers, it's an accident waiting to happen! CTID

blueblood, Oldham (01/08/2009 at 10:06)

You know I read some of these comments and think what have City got to do to satisy some of the fans. When we had no money it all doom and gloom and now we have money its doom and gloom. Just hope the City owners do not read some of these comments because if it was my money and no matter how much I loved City I would walk away. I know we have been through a lot but lets give these guys a chance and I dont mean for one or two seasons. Lets show solidarity from the owners to the fans and maybe just mauby we will see the good times. I am 47 and before this takeover did not think I would see a successful City team in my lifetime but now things have changed. So come on less negativity and more support after all we are the most loyal fans in the world.

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