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Defender rejects exit talk
Manchester City, 10:58, October 20, 2009 ,
Micah Richards has vowed to fight for his first-team place after rejecting talk he wants to leave Manchester City.
Richards has found himself relegated to the subsitutes bench in recent weeks by the form of Pablo Zabaleta before returning to the starting line-up at the centre of defence at Wigan on Sunday as a replacement for injured captain Kolo Toure.
But the 21-year-old England international accepts Mark Hughes' decision and now hopes to take advantage of Zabaleta's red card at the weekend by forcing his way back into the manager's first-team plans.
Richards told the Manchester Evening News: "For them (people) to suggest that I want to leave City is absolutely ridiculous.
"I have three-and-a-half years left on my contract. And when you look at the way this club is going, who in their right mind would want to leave?
"I am 21 years of age and people seem to forget that I am still learning my trade. I am just enjoying the ride.
"There is perhaps the impression out there that I am bit older than I am but I know I am not the finished product.
"Pablo is a class player and has come into the side and done well.
"It is all about fighting hard in training and waiting for another chance in the side and when that chance arrives then taking it and holding on to that precious shirt."