Micah Richards has returned from the England under 21 squad through injury.

The Blues’ defender, who missed the Europa League draw with Juventus and the Premier League wins over Chelsea and Newcastle United, has not recovered from a slight hamstring strain.

Richards, who has 14 under 21 caps to his name and nearly as many as that for the senior England side, will undergo treatment at Carrington and is expected to be fit to fight for a place against Blackpool on October 17.

He misses the under 21 qualifier against Romania at Carrow Road, Norwich on Friday night.