Richards was stretchered off during England's 3-0 win over Andorra on Wednesday night and is only 50-50 for a place in the City team against Newcastle.
Glenn Roeder sees Nicky Butt return from a one-match ban, while Stephen Carr (groin), Celestine Babayaro and Peter Ramage (both hamstring) are available once again.
City Wait On England International
Only strikers Michael Owen (knee) and Shola Ameobi (hip) are missing for selection.
NEWCASTLE (from): Given, Harper, Solano, Carr, Babayaro, Edgar, Taylor, Bramble, Onyewu, Moore, Ramage, Huntington, Butt, Parker, Milner, Duff, Emre, N'Zogbia, Pattison, Troisi, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll, LuaLua.