Manchester City are set to place Micah Richards on a specialist training programme.

The Daily Mail says Richards will be put on a meticulously planned summer training regime to ensure he does not suffer another injury-ravaged season.

The Manchester City defender will make his return to full training on Friday after five months out with a knee injury, and has pinpointed the Manchester derby on April 8 as his comeback date.

City's medical team are devising a specially-designed training plan, aimed primarily at strengthening his injured knee, for Richards to follow during the close season to ensure his body is ready for the rigours of pre-season given he'll have spent virtually an entire season on the sidelines.