England and Manchester City man ruled out for four months

Micah Richards has been hit by the news that he faces up to four months on the sidelines, following knee surgery this week.

The England and Manchester City defender was stretchered off during his club's 1-0 victory over Swansea City at the weekend and it was initially thought that he could be back in action within eight weeks

But after undergoing the operation on Monday evening, he has now been ruled out until the new year which comes as a blow to both the player himself and Sky Blues boss Roberto Mancini.

He said: "I can't do anything at all for the next four to six weeks and I am probably looking at 12-16 weeks before I am back in action.

"I knew straight away in the game that it was quite a bad injury. The knee locked and I couldn't straighten it.

"I suppose it could have been even worse and not repairable so the positive thing is that the injury has been repaired, so the knee will be as good as new."

The 24-year-old, who last played for England against Netherlands in February, had missed the start of the season with an ankle injury that he picked up during the summer.

And he is hoping to be back as quickly as possible following this latest blow.

"Injuries are all part and parcel of the job but this coming on top of the other one I do feel a little hard done to," he added, on the official Manchester City website.

"I will be working as hard as I can to get back as quickly as I can and I thank all the fans who have sent their best wishes."