England international plots Manchester City reunion in Italy

Any lingering hope Manchester City fans may have had in seeing Micah Richards return to the Etihad could soon be extinguished, if the latest quotes from the one-time England international are to be believed.

The 26-year-old was an integral part of the squad that won the FA Cup and Premier League in successive seasons under Roberto Mancini.

However, the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini at Eastlands saw the defender frozen out of the first-team picture, despite largely impressing throughout his time at the club.

Loaned out to Fiorentina for the season back in the summer, Richards has yet to establish himself as a regular for La Viola, with just 15 appearances to his name to date.

But despite his future at Florence remaining in doubt, the Birmingham-born player believes there could be other opportunities for him to shine in Italy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Alan Brazil on Talksport, Richards revealed that a Manchester City reunion of sorts could yet be on the cards.

“I’ve been linked with Inter Milan with my old manager Roberto Mancini, so I have a few options,” he told the programme.

“I just want to go somewhere where I’m going to play the most.”

Capped 13 times by England in his career to date, Richards was the youngest ever defender to earn a call-up when he was first selected for Three Lions duty back in November 2006.

Just under a year later, the Sky Blues favourite made more headlines for the national team, scoring in a 3-0 victory over Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley.

His last appearance for England came back in 2012, with the defender yet to earn a call-up from Roy Hodgson.

But a move to Inter Milan, where he is more likely to establish himself in the Nerazzurri following a season fraught with some decidedly dodgy defensive displays and that could change.

Hodgson has managed Inter on two separate occasions throughout his career and still keeps a close eye out for their results.

Moving to Milan could therefore bring Richards right back into international contention.

A return to Manchester City, meanwhile, looks about as likely as a Sky Blues Premier League title parade in 2015.

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