Richards out for City and England

LONDON, Apr 26 (Reuters) Manchester City defender Micah Richards will not play again until next season after surgery on a calf injury, ruling him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia on June 6.

''Micah had his operation yesterday, everything went very successfully but obviously it is now a number of weeks to recover,'' manager Stuart Pearce told the club's Web site (www.mcfc.co.uk) today.

''There's no rush to get him back, and we're aiming to get him back for pre-season.'' Richards suffers from compartment syndrome, which affects the muscles in his lower legs. He has not played since coming on as a substitute in England's 0-0 qualifying draw in Israel on March 24.

Ruling out a prompt return for his country, Pearce said: ''He won't play until pre-season now, whatever games are coming up, whether they be the full England squad or the (European) under-21 tournament (in the Netherlands in June).'' Richards' absence will be a blow for England coach Steve McClaren, who sees him as the obvious replacement for first-choice Gary Neville. Currently injured, Neville could be back for Manchester United this weekend at Everton.

England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign has run into trouble after they took only five points from their last four games, leaving McClaren's men fourth in Group E.

At the next level down, England's youngsters will be playing in the European Under-21 championship, which is being hosted by the Netherlands in June.

REUTERS BJR RK1600