Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has reassured Micah Richards that he will not be forced out due to the arrival of Maicon.

The Brazilian full-back arrived from Inter Milan in the summer, furnishing City with three right-backs, including Pablo Zabaleta who displaced Richards in the team at the end of last season.

However, Mancini says that he is thinking about playing three centre-backs and wing-backs, as he did in the first game this season.

"It changes nothing because I trust Micah 100%," Mancini told ESPN.

"This year we've changed and play three and two wide, and I think maybe Micah can play right centre-back.

"Micah has been injured for 40 days. He can play right-back and right centre-back and this year I think we will play more games, so we need one or two extra players."

City face Stoke City this afternoon at the Britannia Stadium.