Richards hopes for swift return

Published Feb. 4, 2011 1:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester City's Micah Richards admits he will be disappointed to miss out against West Brom following his worrying injury against Birmingham.

The 22-year-old England international defender suffered a horror collision with team-mate Nigel De Jong at St Andrew's during the 2-2 Premier League draw on Wednesday night.

Richards was left unconscious after the clash and was given oxygen for several minutes before being taken to hospital.

He is now set to miss the Baggies encounter on Saturday and is hoping to regain his place in the side as soon as possible.

"Obviously, you have to be careful when you've had such an injury," he said in The Sun.

"It will be disappointing if I have to miss the next game because I have been getting a run in the team and, at a club like ours, you can't afford to miss a match.

"There are plenty of good players who can take your place and keep it."

On the collision, he added: "I'm a lucky man. I've seen the TV replays and the pictures in the papers and they even make me shudder.

"I really don't remember a lot about what happened. But, as a defender, you just want to clear your lines. I didn't know who was going to be in the way and, unfortunately, I smacked into Nigel.

"People have told me how worried they were when they saw it happen and I know I'm lucky it was not worse.

"I didn't have to stay in hospital overnight and I don't think there will be any permanent damage.

"I want to thank our physios and medical team, Lee Nobes, Robin Sadler, Carlo Sertori and Jamie Butler, for their quick response in helping me.

"When you have a collision like mine, it's great to know you are in the hands of such good people."

City will be looking to consolidate their position in the Premier League's top four with a win over West Brom this weekend at Eastlands, as Chelsea are hot on their heels.