After Tuesday’s news that Micah Richards’ ankle injury was not as bad as first feared, Mark Hughes is hopeful of being able to call on his big defender for this weekend’s test against Stoke City.

The Blues are sure to come under severe aerial bombardment from Tony Pulis’ side and the services of the muscular Richards will be a big help come Sunday afternoon.

Speaking about Micah’s ankle knock a hopeful Hughes said: “He’s got a lot of swelling around the injury. Thankfully there’s no break and it doesn’t look like there’s any serious damage.

“That’s good news and we’re very hopeful that if we can get the swelling down that he’ll be an option at the weekend.”

And if that swelling does come down, the Manager would certainly welcome Richards’ return to the back four.

He added: “We would like him fit and well and he’ll be having a lot of treatment to get that swelling down around the impact of the injury and if we can get rid of the fluid in and around that impact area then he’s got a good chance.”