Manchester City defender Micah Richards has rubbished claims that he is overweight and unfit.
Richards has come in for criticism this season along with centre-back partner Richard Dunne for making a number of high profile errors.
The duo's loss of form has contributed to City's inconsistent Premier League form during the first half of the season with the club sitting 13th, two points off the relegation places.
Mark Hughes was dealt a further blow on Saturday as he saw his side hit a new low by being dumped out of the FA Cup 3-0 by struggling Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Hughes has already moved to strengthen a defence that has conceded 30 goals in 20 league games with Wayne Bridge arriving from Chelsea.
The former Blackburn boss is said to be keen to bring in another centre-back with Arsenal's Kolo Toure linked, further highlighting Richards and Dunne's indifferent form.
"People are saying stuff about me looking slower or heavier or whatever but to be honest that's rubbish," Richards responded in the club's official magazine.
"If anything I have lost weight and have less body fat than I did last year. We are constantly monitored in both those areas.
"I am working as hard as ever and I don't feel as if I have done anything drastically wrong this season for people to comment on.
"What I don't do is let anything that is thrown at me get in the way of training or learning."
It is easy to forget that the defender is still only 20-years-old with three years of first team football already under his belt after he burst onto the scene as a raw 17-year-old in 2005.
The defender insists that the criticism can help him improve as a player and he admits that he is staying positive.
"I take criticism in my stride. All the players have dips and I am staying positive. I know I give 100 per cent in every match," he added.
"Of course I am not the finished article. I have lots to learn and would be a fool to think anything else.
"I believe in my ability and I think City fans know what I am capable of. It is just a matter of finding the form I was in last season."
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