Manchester City defender Micah Richards has declared that he intends to stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond this season, but only if he gets consistent chances in the first team.

Richards endured a frustrating campaign because of injury last season, with the full-back restricted to just eight appearances.

The 25-year-old has admitted that he is looking forward to a change of regime under new coach Manuel Pellegrini, with his main aim to challenge Pablo Zabaleta for a regular start at right-back.

He told The Sun: "Manchester City are my club. The manager has come in and I want to see his ideas and what he can do.

"I want to be here and I don't know why any player would want to leave. But every player wants to play and if I can do that here, perfect.

"The main thing is to be playing. I know there are a lot of games and I don't expect to play every game. The 2011-12 season when we won the title, me and Pablo Zabaleta rotated well, so if we can do that again I'll be happy."

Inter Milan have been consistently linked with a move for Richards, who has two years left on his current City contract.