Nedum stakes his City claim

MICAH Richards’ injury misfortune could open the door for local lad Nedum Onuoha to get an extended run at Manchester City.

Onuoha, whose campaign has been blighted by injury, made his first Premier League appearance of the season on Monday at Newcastle where he replaced Richards.

Richards faces a spell on the sidelines with strained ankle ligaments and, with Pablo Zabaleta suspended for the next two matches, former Hulme Grammar pupil Onuoha looks favourite to land the right-back spot at home to Stoke City on Sunday.

Manager Mark Hughes was pleased with Onuoha’s performance at St James’ Park.

He said: “We had to throw him in and, given the circumstances, I thought he did all right.

“Nedum gives us cover, though ideally we would prefer to have Micah fit and well for the weekend when we will be up against opposition who are going to throw balls into our box and challenge for everything. We need to be able to stand up to that.”