According to the 'Daily Mail', Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has asked the club to release defender Micah Richards from his contract as he approaches two years since his last appearance for the club.
The 30-year-old's still has a year left to run on his £35,000-a-week contract, but with Bruce desperate to find some wiggle room in his budget the club are likely to seek a compromise with the player.
The 13-time England intenrational's last appearance for Villa came in a 1-1 draw with Wolves back on October 15, 2016 as he played 65 minutes before suffering a serious knee injury.
Villa boss Steve Bruce attributed his lack of appearances last season to a lack of consistent fitness, with the defender's career having been plagued by injuries.
Richards burst onto the scene as a powerful teenager, becoming England's youngest ever defender when he made his debut at just 18.
He was tipped to reach the very top and was named Manchester City's vice-captain by manager Roberto Mancini as he looked like being a fixture in the club's defence for over a decade.
However, a serious knee injury suffered in a game against Swansea in 2012 all but ended his development as a player, with Richards never refinding his best form.
A loan move to Fiorentina failed to provide him with the game time he craved, whilst his move to Villa turned into a nightmare as they were relegated from the Premier League during his first season at the club, with his availability limited by a series of injury problems.