Full-backs could return for City

Danny Mills and Ben Thatcher could return for Manchester City at Liverpool on Sunday.

Both men have been missing over the last few weeks following a shin injury and chest infection respectively but came through a reserve team appearance in midweek and will be in the squad which travels to Anfield.

Claudio Reyna (ankle) and Trevor Sinclair (groin) are also back in training but are unlikely to be involved, while FA Cup hero Micah Richards is struggling to get over a knee injury.

Provisional squad: James, Weaver, Mills, Sommeil, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Jordan, Richards, Ireland, Croft, Musampa, Barton, Sibierski, Riera, Vassell, Wright-Phillips, Samaras.