All-rounder Richards is central to the future

Jamie Carragher's decision to retire from international football is Richards' gain and the teenager, who has been outstanding in City's rise to the top of the Premier League, will be rewarded with a start against Germany this evening.

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Mr Versatile: Richards can play almost anywhere

Richards will play at right back, the position he occupied against Holland on his debut last November, but the consensus is that he will soon be competing for a place alongside England captain Terry.

His measured performances alongside Richard Dunne at the heart of City's defence have impressed Steve McClaren and his excellent display in the 1-0 win against Manchester United and Carlos Tevez last Sunday has merited a place in the starting line-up.

He may be raw but he represents the long-term future of English football. At 19, he has firmly established himself in Sven Goran Eriksson's plans at the City of Manchester Stadium and he can create problems for the national head coach with another Rolls-Royce performance against Germany.

Terry, with tongue firmly in cheek, said: "I would say his best position at the moment is right back — I won't think of him as a centre half for a few years.

"When he made his debut last year he was playing very well and he continued that last season. I saw him play the first half of the derby against United and he was magnificent.

"His defending has been brilliant, he is a great athlete and he showed great pace against Tevez. He is great in the air, great attacking with the ball and he can play centre half, right back, or anywhere."

He actually made his debut for City as an emergency striker against Arsenal, the team he supported as a youngster, during Stuart Pearce's ill-fated reign.

His versatility was one of his biggest assets when he made the breakthrough but he has emerged as a central defender under Eriksson.

He played in that position for City's youth and reserve teams and even lists former United striker Giusseppe Rossi as his most difficult opponent.

Richards said: "I've got to give him credit. We've had some good battles and he's probably the most technically gifted played I've faced."

That was in 2005 but since then he has come up against some of the Premier League's finest forwards. He proudly boasts that Teletext marked him out eight out of 10 following his debut at Highbury and it is that consistency which has earned him four England caps.

He is still learning his trade but McClaren can continue to nurture his prospect by playing him at right back. McClaren said: "Micah came from nowhere and was given his opportunity against Holland.

People are quite rightly raving about him for his performances. "One man's injury is another's opportunity. He's just played three good games in a week at centre back. We have very good centre halves and there is real competition there.

"He came in last season and played centre back. What pleases me is that he can play there and adapt to other positions. I think it is important in a squad where you get injuries."