Richards in fitness race

The England defender was forced off at half-time in City's 3-0 win at Sunderland last time out and Blues boss Mark Hughes is hoping Richards can get through the visit of Chelsea after having treatment on his shoulder.

"A bit of adrenalin can get you through," Hughes told the City website. "The size of this game is a big attraction and there's a huge number of guys here that do not want to miss out."

New signing Robinho is certainly one of those having been destined to join Chelsea before City's sensational deadline-day swoop for the Brazilian star.

The former Real Madrid forward looks in good form after scoring in Brazil's 3-0 win over Chile at the weekend and has vowed to make Chelsea pay for not stumping up the cash to sign him.

"It is Real's fault that I did not sign for Chelsea but it is also Chelsea's fault," he said. "I don't think they managed it very well. They waited until the last minute and it turned out badly for them.

"My head was at Chelsea but now that is forgotten. I know Scolari is upset with me but these things happen. When I play against them I will show that they were wrong not to raise their offer.

"City presented the offer five hours before the deadline and until then I had not been thinking about them at all."

Jo and Elano both featured from the bench against Chile and the City trio will hope to be involved again as Brazil host Bolivia tonight.

Felipe Caicedo was also on the mark in South America at the weekend, finding the top corner in Ecuador's 3-1 win over Bolivia with the kind of strike he is yet to produce at City since his January move from Basel.

However, Martin Petrov will remain out against Chelsea with the knee injury he suffered against FC Midtjylland, while Michael Johnson is an injury doubt.

A groin problem meant the England Under-21 midfielder had to sit out the 2-0 win over Portugal last Friday, in which Joe Hart kept goal for England.