Manchester City defender Micah Richards is out of the running for England's World Cup squad, it has been revealed.

The Guardian says Capello has all but discounted Richards's chances of breaking into his squad for the World Cup on the grounds that he and the coaching staff have serious misgivings about the attitude of the City player. Richards was a regular in the England side under Steve McClaren but he has not figured since the Italian took the job. The England management team have received critical reports about what is perceived to be the player's party lifestyle.

The phrase "too much, too young" has been used to describe a defender who has now reverted to playing for the England Under-21s and whose attitude has also been a source of frustration to the City manager, Mark Hughes.

Having been regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the English game, attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, Richards's reputation has been damaged by a series of off-field issues.

The coaching staff at City have already come to regard the 21-year-old as a poor trainer and someone who does not take on board information easily, and that view has fed through to Capello, who has told associates he does not regard Richards as being close to his thoughts for next summer.