The 19-year-old finds himself in the unusual position of being an England regular at right-back while playing in central defence for his club, Manchester City.

Sven-Goran Eriksson even made a point of contacting his successor as England manager, Steve McClaren, during the summer to gain an assurance that his continuing role for City would not have an adverse effect on his international career.

Apparently, Richards was not party to the discussion. But even if he had been, the Birmingham-born star would have been happy with the current arrangement.

For while his presence in the middle at club level allows him to continue the learning process alongside Richard Dunne, with England, Richards just loves the freedom a wider role affords him.

"No matter which position I am chosen in, I will give it 100 percent," he said.

"But for now I get most enjoyment bombing down the wing and getting involved in the play.

"I am young and enthusiastic and just want to get down the wing as much as I can.

"It's when I get older and start losing my legs a little bit," he added with a smile, "that's when I reckon I will move into the middle."

Although there had been some talk of Richards occupying a central berth against Russia if John Terry was unfit and Sol Campbell's body could not stand the strain of two matches in five days, it appears the young City defender will remain where he is.

Terry's presence in central defence alongside Rio Ferdinand during the final stages of England's 'Field Turf' practice at the Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham turned out to be one of the least surprising events.

Having flagged up the possibility of using Frank Lampard in a three-man midfield in the Luzhniki Stadium, where victory will guarantee England a place at Euro 2008, coach Steve McClaren kept together the same four-man formation he used against Estonia on Saturday.

And, instead of moving Phil Neville into the left-back role Ashley Cole's ankle injury prevents him from occupying, the Everton captain's club colleague Joleon Lescott was there instead.

So, unless McClaren has a sudden change of heart, Lampard will again be on the bench and Lescott, who was handed his debut as a half-time substitute against Estonia on Saturday, will be given his first senior start in the most testing circumstances possible.

Not that any of McClaren's selection conundrums will affect Richards' focus, although, having found himself almost goaded into one fracas with Fulham's Clint Dempsey this season, the teenager know he must remain calm.

"We are all human and we all lose our temper sometimes," Richards said of the incident at Craven Cottage.

"I should not have raised my hands that day because I could easily have been sent off.

"But sometimes, being in situations like that can be a good thing. You have to learn from your mistakes."