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Micah Richards has targeted a return to the England senior squad after a commanding performance for the under-21 side which will have caught the eye of Fabio Capello.

The Manchester City defender found the net as Stuart Pearce's side recorded a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia at the KC Stadium on Tuesday evening.

But it was the display of Richards' all-round ability which will ensure that he will not be kept out of the Italian coach's plans for too long.

As well as getting his name on the scoresheet, and being solid in defence, Richards showed the kind of maturity that both Capello and Pearce have demanded when moving between the respective squads.

"I thought I did okay and obviously got man of the match but that wasn't important - it was about the team," Richards said.

"He (Pearce) told me to treat this game like any other game and get the win, which we did, and is all that mattered in the end.

"But it's definitely my aim to be in the seniors - that's where I want to be - hopefully I can take my form out of tonight and Mr Capello was watching and has seen what I can do.

"Obviously last season I picked up a knee injury which was a bit frustrating but I am back now with the under-21s and hopefully I can do all I can to push back up to the seniors.

"I always feel like I am knocking on the door but last year I got injured and that affected me."

Richards continued: "He (Capello) has probably not seen the best of me yet - I don't think anyone has - so all I can do now is work hard and give 100% for my club and try to get back in the seniors.

"I thought I got off to a good start last season winning player of the month and then I averaged out a bit.

"This season I'll be giving 100% and make sure I play the best I can in every game and hopefully I'll be straight back in there.

"It is a big year for me. As long as I can stay injury-free there is nothing stopping me from doing well this season and pushing back into that England squad."

Pearce has encouraged Richards to set himself a goals target for the season after a first half against Slovenia where he could have had a hat-trick.

And the defender admitted he is keen to work all on aspects of his game to enhance his development.

"I'm keen to improve my all-round game which will make me a better player," Richards added.

"We practise some of those things in training and I try to do the best I can. I don't just want to work on defensive side of my game I want to work on the attacking side as well.

"I've got a pretty good leap, attack the ball aggressively. It's one of the strong assets to my games.

"I want to play my football and play to the best of my ability, to go out there and enjoy it."

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