 Sent off against Burton Albion at the start of January 2011, more damaging to Richards' golden boot hopes and Vale's promotion ambitions was news that he would be sidelined for six weeks with muscle tear in his thigh.With Fraser and Adams leaving the club, new boss Jim Gannon handed Richards the captaincy in February 2011.On 26 February, he marked his return from injury with a goal against Aldershot Town in a 2–1 win – his first goal in three months.