Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has not played a competitive match for over a year.
Aston Villa fans appear to have different opinions over Dean Smith’s comments on Micah Richards.
“Micah has not played for a long time so he’s not near fitness to be in contention at all at the moment,” Smith said. “We’ll see how his fitness builds over the next month or two.
“He’s been on a special programme, the training minutes he hasn’t had so far. We’ll see how his body adapts to those training minutes as we go.”
The defender was totally ostracised under Steve Bruce, and has not featured for Villa for over a year.
And while some claret and blues fans want the former England international to be offered another chance, there are others who feel he should just be let go.
Richards was once considered one of England’s finest defenders, but injury has led to his career stagnating at Villa.
There are now serious question marks over whether he will ever make it back to his top level.
Villa are short at the back currently, so Richards’ return to fitness could actually boost Smith’s options.
Smith will take charge of Villa for the first time this weekend, when his new side take on Swansea City.
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