MICAH Richards is determined to grab his chance to reclaim a regular first-team spot after slapping down reports that he wants to quit City.

The 21-year-old was called into action at centre-back for the Blues' 1-1 draw at Wigan on Sunday as skipper Kolo Toure failed to recover from a heel injury.

But he ended the game in his favoured right-back slot after Pablo Zabaleta's unfortunate dismissal forced Mark Hughes to reshuffle his defence.

And with Zabaleta set to serve a one-match ban when City host Fulham this Sunday, it gives Richards an opportunity to push for an extended run in the team.

The Academy graduate featured in City's first six competitive games this season, the first four of which brought clean sheets.

Hughes, though, decided to change things round after the 4-3 derby defeat at Old Trafford, a match in which the Blues struggled to stem a continuous flow of crosses into their box.

Zabaleta was handed the right-back role as City embarked on an unbeaten run that stretched to four matches with Sunday's draw at the DW Stadium.

Richards said: "Pablo is a class player and has come into the side and done well.

"It is all about fighting hard in training and waiting for another chance in the side and when that chance arrives then taking it and holding on to that precious shirt."

City ambitions

That is exactly what Richards intends to do after three matches watching from the sidelines. The defender, who has been with the Blues since arriving from Oldham's youth set-up as a 14-year-old, hasn't had a straightforward ride over the past couple of seasons.

He lost his place in the England side following Steve McClaren's departure, and his chances of going to South Africa with the World Cup party are not looking good.

Indeed, there have been suggestions that Richards' long-term City future is in doubt, although he is under contract at Eastlands until 2013.

For his part, Richards is adamant that recent newspaper reports stating that he wants to leave the Blues are wide of the mark.

He said: "For them to suggest that I want to leave City is absolutely ridiculous.

"I have three-and-a-half years left on my contract. And when you look at the way this club is going, who in their right mind would want to leave?

"I am 21 years of age and people seem to forget that I am still learning my trade. I am just enjoying the ride.

"There is perhaps the impression out there that I am bit older than I am but I know I am not the finished product."

Richards is aware that the increased competition for places at City will force some pretty big names to watch from the substitutes' bench this season.

Hughes has already warned his players that they may need to be patient in their wait for regular games, and Richards has heeded the message.

The defender added: "There will be seven people sitting on the bench who all think they deserve to be in the starting line up - most of whom will be internationals.

"And that is great for the club and great for us as individuals.

"Obviously everyone wants to be playing. But by the same token, when people are in the team and doing well the manager can't just drop them.

"Look at Stephen Ireland and how he played last season and at the start of this one. He hardly puts a foot wrong, gets an injury and suddenly he has to sit on the bench too.

"That's how far we have come as a group in the last few months and everyone has to be treated equally."

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