Micah Richards is losing his fight to be fit for the Premier League trip to Hull on Saturday.

The young England defender, who has been in fine form, was desperate to put himself in the frame at the KC Stadium after missing the 2-0 victory over Portsmouth on Sunday.

But the calf injury he sustained in the Carling Cup semi-final defeat at Old Trafford is almost certain to rule him out for a second game as the Blues seek to step up the pace at the top.

Micah is having daily treatment on the injury - not a recurrence of his earlier problem this season - but he is now targeting a comeback against Bolton at home next Tuesday night.

Patrick Vieira is back to full fitness after the frustrations of the lingering calf injury that has prevented his debut since becoming Roberto Mancini's first January window signing.

And Wayne Bridge is expected to be in line for a Hull return after the England left-back stepped up his training following the knee problem that has sidelined him for the last two months.