After having an operation on his cartilage on his right knee, Manchester City defender Micah Richards could be facing six weeks on the sidelines recovering.

The news of Richards operation was revealed by manager Sven Goran Eriksson after Richards had surgery on his knee in London on Wednesday.

This means that the young 19 year old England international will be unavailable for England’s friendly with France on March 26.

Eriksson has spoken to his medical staff who says that although Richards heals from injuries a lot quicker than some people, he will still be out for around six weeks.

The injury that he has had surgery on is one that kept him out of two of Manchester City’s games earlier in the campaign. Richards began a course of recovery on Thursday, only a day after having the surgery.

Eriksson revealed that there is no doubt that Man City will miss Richards in the defence. He has become the spine of the Man City defence along with Richard Dunne this season.

His international career for England is also impressive, scoring 1 goal and making 11 appearances for the full England team.