Richards passes fitness test for City

Manchester City defender Micah Richards (knee) is fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of Blackburn.

Richards required lengthy treatment during the midweek Europa League win over Porto but completed the game while midfielder Gareth Barry, who was withdrawn to protect a muscle twinge, does not have a serious problem.

Defender Kolo Toure, midfielder Yaya Toure (both international duty) and striker Mario Balotelli (suspension) return to domestic action after lengthy absences. Striker Carlos Tevez, now back in training, is not yet match-fit.

Provisional squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, K Toure, Savic, Clichy, Kolarov, Nasri, Milner, Johnson, Barry, De Jong, Y Toure, Pizarro, Hargreaves, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko, Balotelli.