James returns for City

David James and Ben Thatcher will make their first pre-season appearances for Manchester City at Hull tonight – but Nicolas Anelka and Trevor Sinclair will still be missing at the KC Stadium.

James was given an extended summer break by manager Kevin Keegan following his exertions with England at Euro 2004, while new signing Thatcher has struggled to overcome a foot problem.

However, Keegan expects both to be in his starting line-up as City continue their preparations for the new campaign following draws at Bury and Doncaster.

Anelka (foot) and Sinclair (knee) remain on the sidelines, and are not expected to be fit to face Wolves on Friday either, although Keegan expects both to be available to face Lazio on August 7 and is confident they will be available for the Premiership opener against Fulham a week later.

“Neither of them is too far away,” he told www.mcfc.co.uk “I have no long-term worries about either of them being fit for the start of the season unless they get a recurrence.

“Both of them are on their way back and have been working with the fitness coach.

“The two of them now need three or four days’ full training before we get them working with the squad.”

Keegan also revealed tenacious full-back Danny Mills could miss out tonight after picking up a slight knock at Belle Vue.