Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on bringing Micah Richards to White Hart Lane in January, with the young right-back falling a long way out of contention at Manchester City this season.

Spurs tabled a £5million bid for the 21-year-old three years ago, but Richards opted to sign a new deal at Eastlands, and are now ready to return for the defender, according to The Daily Mirror.

Richards, a first choice in Mark Hughes' defence for all of last season, has lost his place to Pablo Zabaleta this term, and was not even in the Citzens' squad for their 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

But Harry Redknapp remains a firm admirer of the uncompromising defender, who only two years ago looked to have the England right-back berth nailed down, making eleven appearances during Steve McClaren's ill-fated tenure.

'Arry tried and failed to sign Liverpool's Glen Johnson in the summer, and is not satisfied with his current right-back options, Verdran Corluka and Alan Hutton, although he will face competition for Richards from Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.

Mark Hughes will again be given the license to spend in January, and is thought to be particularly keen on strengthening his options at full-back, having been rumoured to be interested in Inter Milan's Maicon.