Roberto Mancini insists Micah Richards is staying at Manchester
City, claiming the defender is an important part of his plans at
Eastlands.
Reports have suggested Harry Redknapp is preparing a bid to
lure the England international to Tottenham.
However, Mancini has revealed he will brush aside any
attempts to lure Richards - who has made 14 league appearances this
season - away from the Blues.
"How could I afford to lose Micah? We have only four fit
defenders at the moment," he told the club's website.
"Anyway, I rate him very highly, he has played for England
and has great potential for the future.
"It is important that he stays." Mancini is also eager to
keep Roque Santa Cruz, who has been strongly linked with a move to
Espanyol.
The Paraguay striker has been struggling with a calf injury
and is yet to feature under the new City boss - but Mancini is
hoping to be able to count on him for Monday night's trip to
Blackburn.
Mancini added: "It would be a big game for Rocky as Blackburn
are his old club, but we will have to see if he is OK.
"Roque is most important for us, and I do not want to lose
him. He was injured for 15 days and we missed him. "For me, he is
important to the team."
