Micah Richards is still hoping to be back in contention for Manchester City before the end of the season.

The England international underwent knee surgery in February and was originally expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

However, his rehabilitation has fallen slightly behind schedule and he is still some way off making a return to the first-team fold.

Sven-Goran Eriksson remains confident that the defender will be back in action before the current campaign draws to a close, but concedes that plans for him to be involved at the beginning of April have now been shelved.

"I spoke to him and the physios and he's two or three weeks away," said the Swede.

"Hopefully, he will play some of the last games but he looks very good and everything is right."