Manchester City defender Micah Richards has revealed that he could be fit for next month's derby clash at Old Trafford.

The England international has been out of action since October of last year with a knee injury that required an operation to correct.

Recent reports had claimed that the 24-year-old could return against Newcastle United at the end of this month, but he believes that the trip to Manchester United on Monday, April 8 is a more realistic date.

"I think the Newcastle match will come too soon for me, though I hope to have been training normally by then," he told the club's official website. "Realistically, I'm looking more to the game away to United and then the FA Cup semi-final – maybe against United again to be properly involved again."

Richards has made just four appearances in all competitions this season.