Geoffrey Richmond says he wants to "absolutely kill stone dead" suggestions that Matt Clarke did not suffer a fresh injury ahead of the Leeds match.

The City goalkeeper was expected to return to the side for Sunday's derby clash only to fall down stairs at his home the previous evening and aggravate the injury which has kept him out for two months.

Clarke was carried off during the 3-2 win over Watford after suffering knee ligament damage.

He returned to training at the start of last week and was expected to start against Leeds.

However after suffering the accident at home, Neville Southall had to step in and become the oldest player to appear for City. He was 41 years and 178 days old when he made his debut.

However there have been suggestions on the internet that the injury was a smokescreen designed to deflect blame away from the collapse of the Davison deal late last week.

Richmond said: "I am absolutely amazed that there have been suggestions that Clarke did not fall down the stairs the night before the Leeds game.

"I want to kill this one stone dead now. Up to 11.30am on the morning of the match, he was playing.

"Matt was fit and trained Thursday, Friday and Saturday. He was passed fit by the club surgeon and physio.

"As of Saturday, he was playing and it was only on Sunday at 11.30am that we knew he would not be playing."

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