Micah injury is cruel luck for all concerned

The City kit manager and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
THE absence of Micah Richards in Manchester City’s starting line-up cannot be underestimated as we enter the business end of the season.

Micah, who has been in such fine form at club level, was carried off four minutes into England under-21s’ 4-0 win over Denmark after suffering a hamstring injury.

It is terrible timing not only for the team in such a crucial period, but for Micah, who has reestablished himself in the first team and won our most recent player of the month award.

The day after he flew back I saw him at Carrington and he was naturally disappointed.

Every game is important between now and the end of the season, but obviously he is desperate — as are all the lads — to play in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley.

In the meantime, we are a bit short in the full-back department, with Pablo Zabaleta still in Argentina and Jerome Boateng injured.

Our Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland at Eastlands on Sunday is quite simply a must-win game.

Hopefully between now and then, the rest of our players who are dotted around the globe on international duty return to the club unscathed.



It’s all change next season: we get new home, away and third choice kits.
After the last game on May 22, we will box up and ship out all the gear that won’t be needed for the 2011-12 campaign. They don’t get thrown away; a lot are sent to Africa, partly because the likes of Vincent Kompany, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy are involved with charities out there.


A few days later I fly out to Benidorm, where I will play for a Manchester City veterans’ side along with the likes of Asa Hartford, Andy Morrison and Tony Vaughan.

We face a Spanish side in a one-off game. Last year’s encounter didn’t quite go to plan — the referee abandoned it with 10 minutes remaining due to a mass brawl!

Obviously everyone made friends again over a few beers and a bit of tapas.


CONGRATULATIONS to Gareth Barry on being named England captain for tonight’s friendly against Ghana.
He is a diamond of a bloke who is respected by everyone, and he thoroughly deserves the armband.