Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has explained his decision to play Micah Richards at left-back for their defeat to Middlesbrough.

Hughes told mcfc.co.uk: "We needed to be a little bit more solid defensively. I think away from home at times we've left ourselves a little bit exposed.

"I was looking for a bit more solidity at the back that I think he provided. We looked okay but at other times we looked like a team that hasn't really had a settled back four all year.

"That's something that's been a problem for us, so we're trying to get the right balance of the guys back there that will enable us to have a defensive platform to be able to bring in the attack minded players they have in front of them."