Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes that Vincent Kompany has been an "unbelievable miss" while serving a four-match ban.

The centre-back has been ineligible to feature in City's victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic, as well as their defeat to Liverpool over two legs of the Carling Cup semi-final.

Kompany was hit with the suspension after a controversial tackle on Nani during the side's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup earlier this month.

"He has been an unbelievable miss," The Mirror quotes Richards as saying. "He is our captain and he and Joleon [Lescott] have been our best central defensive partnership this season.

"He has played well in the big games and is a leader so it will be amazing to have him back and we can't wait to play with him again.

"He has still been coming in the changing room before games and saying how he feels we can improve, and what he would do if he was on the pitch, so he has still been an influence. I am sure when he comes back he will give 110% and help us back to winning ways."

The 25-year-old will return to Roberto Mancini's side for their Premier League clash against Everton tomorrow.