Manchester City defender Micah Richards is set for a spell on the sidelines after the club confirmed that the England defender has had an operation on damaged cartilage in his right knee.

The 20-year-old travelled to London with club physiotherapist Ally Beattie for surgery, and he will be out for ‘a matter of weeks’.

The injury is a recurrence of the one that prevented him from playing against Sheffield United and Derby earlier this year.

Club doctor Mark Whitaker told his club’s official website: ‘The operation has been successful, and Micah will begin a rehabilitation programme at Carrington starting tomorrow.

‘The medical team will monitor his progress over the coming days and weeks.’

Richards recently signed a new contract which commits him to the Barclays Premier League team until 2013.

He has forged an impressive partnership with captain Richard Dunne at the heart of the City defence this season as new boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has transformed the club from relegation strugglers to European contenders.

Richards has won 11 caps and scored one international goal since making the step up from the Under-21s.