Micah Richards has insisted that he is happy to stay at Manchester City, despite failing to hold down a regular first-team place.

The 25-year-old has played just twice this season, against Wigan Athletic in the League Cup and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Richards has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, but the defender believes that he is still in the plans of manager Manuel Pellegrini.

"I did say at the start of the season I wanted to see the manager's plans and I'm in his plans, as he's said all along, so we'll see what the future holds, but I'm happy at Manchester City," Richards told BT Sport.

"I've been here since I was 14, it's a club I love. Before I got my injuries, I was number-one choice. It's only because I got injuries and Pablo Zabaleta has done so well, I find myself not playing as regular. I'm fully fit now and I'm ready to show everyone what I can do.

"It was a big decision for the manager to play me in the Bayern Munich game after only playing one game previously in the cup against Wigan so it shows massive confidence in me."

Richards has made 236 appearances for City since making his debut in 2005.