/world sport
LONDON, England -- Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards faces a six-week layoff after having surgery on a damaged cartilage in his right knee.
Richards has proved a commanding figure at the heart of the City defense.
Richards has forged an impressive central defensive partnership with captain Richard Dunne and his absence will be a severe blow to City's hopes of European football next season.
He is set to miss eight Premier League games at a crucial stage of the season and is also ruled out of England's prestige friendly against France on March 26.
Richards, who has 11 caps, was looking to press his claims after being overlooked by new England manager Fabio Capello for his first match in charge against Switzerland.
The injury is a recurrence of a problem that ruled Richards out for two games earlier in the season but City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be hoping he can make a swift return to boost his faltering side.
"Our medical people say Micah is a quick healer but he is still likely to be out for about six weeks," said Eriksson.
The 19-year-old began his rehabilitation program on Thursday.
Richards recently signed a new contract which commits him to Eastlands until 2013. E-mail to a friend 
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