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KINGSTON – In the face of conflicting stories over the status of a recurring knee injury, Dale Richards revealed here yesterday that he was keen on playing in Barbados' Red Stripe Bowl semifinal against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.

A determination of his fitness, however, will be made today after Barbados' team management receives a final report from Dr Aksai Mansingh, a Jamaica-based doctor who has often been retained by the West Indies Cricket Board.

Richards, converted to an opening batsman for this tournament, was unable to take his place in the Barbados team for the weekend's back-to-back matches and it was suspected from as early as Friday that he would be returning home and would take no further part in the competition.

Amidst all the uncertainty, the 26-year-old old NATIONSPORT yesterday that if it were left to him, he would walk out to the middle at Kaiser Sports Club come Friday.

"I am feeling alright and, most likely, I think I will be able to play," he said.

"The knee is feeling a little better than it was in the last two days. I am a bit stiff, otherwise I am feeling a bit better. Maybe the body wanted some rest."

Richards first suffered a recurrence of the injury while batting against the Leewards XI at the Melbourne Club ground last week Sunday when he was run out for 81. It followed an unbeaten 121 in the opening match against the University of the West Indies at Chedwin Park two days earlier.

He believes the knee is responding well to treatment from team physiotherapist Phyllis Burnett. The treatment includes daily icing and the use of an ultra-sound machine.

This latest injury to Richards is on the same right knee that bothered him two years ago when he was forced to have an operation.

There was some speculation here over the last few days that he might need surgery again, but it was too early to determine.

"I do not feel it is going to stop me, but we have to wait and see. It won't be 100 per cent, but I will try," Richards added.

Barbados manager Tony Howard was also upbeat that Richards would be available for this weekend's matches.

"Initially, the idea was that if Dale couldn't make it, we would send him home but we will get a final report from Dr Mansingh tomorrow [today] and see where we will go," Howard said.

"Dale is the kind of man that you would like to keep. He has to decide if he can make it. By Friday, it will be almost two weeks that he hasn't played. The injury may be at a stage, in my personal opinion, where he might be able to say I can make this."

© The Barbados Nation