Micah Richards wants to ditch defence as a career and lead Manchester City's attack.

The People says the teenage sensation - and his dad - are pushing behind the scenes for him to play up front and grab some goals and glory.

Richards has had a few opportunities late in games to try his luck as a makeshift attacker when City have been chasing games but has scored just twice.

However, Richards and his influential father think he could be tried out on a more regular basis and are working on Sven Goran Eriksson and his backroom staff to give him a chance.

But Richards' connections think he could be a success up front - he scored in England's 3-0 Euro 2008 win over Israel - and forwards get more acclaim and bigger contracts.

Richards has never been shy to state his opinions at City and Eriksson is about to be put on the spot about a change that would rock football. With City also in contract talks with their star youngster it is going to be "politically correct" for them to listen to his opinions and take all of his ideas seriously.

Since Richards made the breakthrough into the City side a season-and-a-half ago, he has been seen as possibly the best prospect in England since Wayne Rooney.