Manchester City v Blackburn:As Manchester City prepare to entertain Blackburn Rovers tonight, Sven-Goran Eriksson was confident yesterday that Micah Richards was finally ready to sign a new deal worth 2.75 million a year and end the hopes of Chelsea and Manchester United of landing the England defender.

Richards's failure to sign a deal that was tabled last summer has fuelled speculation he could quit City. But Eriksson has no doubts the 19-year-old is staying despite the frustrating delay in concluding new terms.

Eriksson said: "I don't know the reason for the delay but I'm not worried about the contract and Micah, absolutely not . . . I think he will play at this club for many, many years, maybe, hopefully, for the rest of his career, which is many, many years. He's happy, he was born happy - he's a happy man."

Richards will be at the heart of the City defence that faces Blackburn as Eriksson's side seek to extend their 100 per cent home league record. Midfielder Michael Johnson has been ruled out with an abdominal strain but Stephen Ireland returns following a three-game ban.

Despite not winning away from Eastlands since the opening day, City spent Christmas Day in fourth place, edging Liverpool out of the Champions League places.

Few expect Eriksson's team to remain so high and the Swede has been reluctant to offer any indication of the targets he will be setting his players for the remainder of the campaign.

"The Champions League will be very difficult but you can always dream," he said.