Richards fights to get back into Capello's England squad

The powerful right-back played just 45 minutes during Capello's reign four-year reign, but insists that being left out of the Three Lions' senior squad for so long has made him stronger as a result. "When you're in so young and get knocked down to the Under-21s, that's the lowest of the low you can go,” Richards told reporters. "Fighting my way back to get in the squad, that's the hardest thing I've ever done. So whether I'm in the squad or not, nothing can knock my confidence anymore." The 23-year-old also discussed his frustration at Capello's lack of communication, claiming better feedback from the Italian may have put his mind at ease when he was not considered for selection. "He [Capello] didn't really give me any idea why he didn't pick me," Richards claimed. "He never said anything to me. He never said anything at all about it. That's just the puzzling thing about it. "If he'd said: 'I don't think you're good going forward' or 'I don't think you're good defensively.' I just wanted an answer but I didn't get one. I didn't try to ask him. "When you come here you just get on with your job. You're not going to ask the boss why you're not playing - especially when you've got massive names in the dressing room. You just have to get on with it." The Manchester City man reserved praise for Roberto Mancini, his manager at the Etihad Stadium, for keeping his confidence high despite a lack of international recognition. "It's hard but you just have to get on with it. That's where mental toughness comes into it," Richards continued. "In football, if you want to be a good player you have to be good upstairs as well and I think the manager [Mancini] has been excellent for me. "He's said 'if you don't go in for the international team don't worry about it, there's just more chance to play. It keeps you fresh for Manchester City. A different manager is going to come in and maybe he will like you." Richards also admitted that competition for places at right-back is tough with Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson impressing this season, but hopes his own current form and versatility can help him secure a spot in the Three Lions' squad for Euro 2012. "This has given me hope. I've been playing more for Manchester City in the last 18 months and a lot of people have been asking me why I'm not in the squad. "I've just got to take it on the chin. Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson have been doing well for their clubs so there's lot of good competition but being able to play centre and being able to play right back I think that can go in my favour at times."