Manchester City defender Micah Richards says Team GB coach Stuart Pearce has been a big influence in his career.

He owes the Olympics opportunity to Pearce, who has picked the 24-year-old at club level for City, for England Under-21s, the senior team and now Team GB. It's a faith Richards intends to repay in gold.

"Stuart gave me my debut at City, he's been amazing for me," said Richards, ahead of Team GB's first warm-up game against Brazil at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on July 20.

"Out of all the mangers I've played for he's had the most belief in me.

"He played me for the Under-21s and made me captain, then when he got the job for the seniors against Holland he played me at right back.

"Now he's picked me for GB and it shows the massive faith he has in me - it would be nice to repay it.

"With Stuart Pearce he's not afraid to do his own thing, he changed a lot of faces for the Holland game.

"I think that's a sign of a good manager and I do believe in the future he will get the England job."