Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards may face axe at Man City

Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards are likely to face axe, as manager Mark Hughes has decided to get rid of non-performers. Hughes has decided to make changes in next month's transfer window to sort out his defensive problems - with full-backs a top priority.

Bridge, 29, could even find himself out the team for tonight's Carling Cup quarterfinal with Arsenal, The Sun reports. Just 11 months ago, Hughes rescued Bridge from Chelsea where his career was going nowhere in a 14 million pounds move. But the left-back has been most at fault during City's run of seven Premier League draws. Hughes inherited Richards who had already started to struggle under previous boss Sven Goran Eriksson. He was prepared to give the 21-year-old a chance at centre-back and full-back - but he has failed to impress at either.

Richards is only in the team tonight because Pablo Zabaletta is injured, but he will be looking for a new club in the New Year. City is prepared to take a hit on Bridge if he cannot med his form by next month. Manchester City will clash with leaders Chelsea at Eastlands on Saturday.

Hughes insisted, "If we can get into a cup semi-final everyone will be delighted. We are in the habit of drawing right now. It's frustrating because we have been in a position to win in three or four of the games we drew.”

"But we are not a million miles away from the target we set ourselves for this stage of the season," he added.