Speculation suggests Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is considering a swoop for Man City’s Micah Richards to provide competition for Mathieu Debuchy, who has yet to fully convince in the black-and-white shirt, TalkSport reports.

It’s fair to say that since the 25-year-old made his England debut in 2006, as the Three Lions’ youngest ever defender, his career has stagnated. Richards, who is equally able at right-back or in the centre, has long had his admirers but after a blistering breakthrough as a 17 year old for Man City, things have nosedived.

An academy product of the blue half of Manchester – a rarity in itself these days – Richards is one of few players to have experienced the era before City were rolling around in their millions. He has enjoyed success with a Premier League and FA Cup medal to his name but frequently he’s played second fiddle to Pablo Zabaleta.

There can be no hiding that a right-back spot is up for grabs in the England shirt with the World Cup in Brazil less than a year away. Defensive concerns linger over Kyle Walker, there are worries about Glen Johnson’s injury record and both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling cannot be considered ready for the step up.

Regular game time, a good run of form and eye-catching displays could easily propel Richards back into the fold and he would do well to consider these clubs as options for a move away