RICHARDS HAS SIX ON THE BRAIN

Micah Richards insists that nothing less than a top-six finish will be good enough for Manchester City next season.

The 21-year-old defender is optimistic about the future after recovering from a bout of swine flu.

City have made a number of major signings in the summer, drafting in Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry.

Richards, who could return in the friendly against Barnsley on Saturday, said: "A top-six finish is definitely realistic and with the players we have now I think it is a must.

"We have made some unbelievably good signings and I am sure expectation levels will be higher.

"But I am looking forward to it, feeling good and raring to go. The first challenge is getting into the side. No-one is sure of a place if they are not playing well.

"These are exciting times and the young lads who have come through the system will not let it faze them. Expectations will be raised in the dressing room as well as outside it."

Richards added on mcfc.co.uk: "There has been a lot of criticism that we have been spending for no reason but the top clubs have had big money to spend for years.

"It is always going to be hard when you are spending money. People will be in your ear but the best way to answer critics is through results on the pitch."

CLICHY DENIES ADEBAYOR BLAST

Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy has denied saying former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor joined Manchester City for money.

The Gunners defender hinted over the weekend that the primary reason any player would sign for Mark Hughes' team is for a lucrative pay packet.

Clichy is unhappy the way his interview has been reported, stating he is not the type of player to judge or single out a fellow professional.

The 23-year-old says does he not know the reasons behind Adebayor's Eastlands switch and now wants to draw a line under the matter.

"I felt really bad about this," he told the club's official website. "I am not a player who would talk like this; say a name and talk this way about a friend.

"If you read the article you will see that I am not saying any names - Ade or anyone else. That is not the way to do it. If I need to say something I will go out and say it myself.

"Saying big names in a big article like this when I did not say anything, I think it is wrong. I just wanted to clarify this.

"Only Ade knows why he went and we have to live with this. He was a good player for us but now he is gone and I don't want to talk about him anymore."