New-look Kieran Richardson eyes Capello call

Feb 15 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

THE new leaner and meaner Kieran Richardson is determined to realise his potential at Sunderland and earn himself an England recall.

Richardson reported back for pre-season training in July having worked hard on his fitness and lost a few extra pounds over the summer break.

The Black Cats midfielder believes he is reaping the benefit of his new lifestyle as he has produced some of the best form of his career this season.

And Richardson, who was capped eight times by Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren in 2005 and 2006 while still a Manchester United player, is hoping his efforts this term will also have caught the eye of new England boss Fabio Capello.

Richardson said: “I’ve had a taste of international football and I’d like to play for England again — who wouldn’t?

“I thought I might have had a chance of being involved in the squad for the game against Spain last week, but it didn’t happen.

“That chance has gone this time, but hopefully I can break back in there in the future.

“The main thing for me is to concentrate on playing well for Sunderland and getting the club higher up in the table and if I do that then, hopefully, everything will fall into place.”

Richardson joined Sunderland in a £5.5m deal in the summer of 2007, but his first season on Wearside was dogged by injuries.