Manchester City defender Micah Richards hopes to be back for the derby against Manchester United on April 8.

Richards hasn't played since October after suffering a knee injury.

"In the last ten days I've been training outside again, doing two days of running and then a recovery day after that," he told City's website.

"I had a big fitness session on Tuesday and I'm starting to feel really good again so when the lads are back from international duty, I should be taking part in partial sessions with them as I continue to close in on a return."