Manchester City defender Micah Richards has narrated the swiftness at which his knee operation went through.

The 19-year-old English international has been a key player for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, but is now set to spend five weeks out on the sidelines.

"I had been playing with pain but it was getting too much, " Richards revealed in his BBC Sport website column.

"Physio Ally Beattie felt if I did not have it sorted it could get worse and keep me out long term.

"They told me what was happening on Tuesday and I whizzed down to London on the train on Wednesday for the operation at the Lister Hospital in Chelsea."

He added: "All they want me to do now is sit and rest. After that I will be back on the treadmill and building up the muscle that was lost.

"Then I will be in the pool and doing more running. It is important to come back steadily.

"I am all right though. I am not on crutches and my leg is fine to walk on. I can drive too."