Micah Richards has admitted that playing on a weekly basis has influenced his decision to stay at Manchester City.
Decision influenced by England breakthrough
Micah Richards has admitted that playing on a weekly basis has influenced his decision to stay at Manchester City.
The defender has been linked with a move to one of the Premier League's top four clubs for some time but he is now set to sign a new deal with City.
Richards feels his England career may have suffered if he had gone elsewhere and found himself part of a rotation system, where he did not play quite so regularly.
He explained: "I think it is important to play regularly at club level to help you with England. I think it is vital.
"If you are playing week in and week out, you are getting the best performances out of yourself.
No rest required
"When you go to a big club, a top four side, and you seem to be rested 10 games out of 20, as a youngster like me coming through I don't think that is ideal.
"I think it is better for me to be playing week in and week out for my England chances.
"That was an influence in my decision to stay at Manchester City. I was playing week in and week out and I still am playing week in and week out. That is important for me now."
England aim
Richards is set to line up at right-back in England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia, and he is targeting a long run in the side.
He has warned Manchester United veteran Gary Neville to expect a fight for the position when he returns to fitness.
"If I am playing at 100 per cent, I feel I am doing well enough to stay in there," he said.
"I know Gary Neville is a legend but the way I see it is if you are playing well, you should keep your place.
"I don't see it as a case of myself just keeping the right-back place warm for him. I feel I've done well enough to stay in."
