Manchester City defender Micah Richards out for 4 months after knee surgery

Micah Richards faces FOUR MONTHS out after knee surgery.

The Manchester City defender, 24, suffered a nasty injury during Saturday’s win over Swansea. He had an operation and hoped to be back in action within six to eight weeks.

But Richards said: “I have a brace on it and I am using crutches. “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.

“The positive thing is that the injury has been repaired so the knee will be as good as new.”

It is yet another blow for Richards in what has been a frustrating season so far.

He missed the start of the campaign with an ankle injury suffered while playing for Team GB at the Olympics. He has played in just four of City's 13 games so far this season.

Richards added: "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 which would have meant removing the meniscus so I am being positive.

"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!

"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."

City boss Roberto Mancini now has real problems on the right side of defence with Pablo Zabaleta and Maicon also injured.

Kolo Toure replaced Richards on Saturday but the Ivory Coast international is not registered in City's Champions League squad.