Cole returns for Gunners

Ashley Cole gave England a boost on the day Steve McClaren was named the new manager.

The Arsenal full-back, 25, made his first start since October after recovering from a stress fracture of the foot.

He was drafted in after showing not ill effects following his appearance from the bench in the defeat of Sunderland on Monday.

Cole was one of five changes to the side with Freddie Ljungberg, Robin van Persie, Alex Hleb and Gilberto all returning.

City included Sun Jihai and Georgios Samaras as Sylvain Distin and Antoine Sibierski are both suffering from knocks.

Man City v Arsenal teams

Man City: James, Jihai, Dunne, Richards, Sommeil, Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Riera, Vassell, Samaras.

Subs: Weaver, Matthew Mills, Croft, Wright-Phillips, Flood.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Hleb, Silva, Song Billong, Ljungberg, Henry, Van Persie.

Subs: Almunia, Pires, Reyes, Fabregas, Djourou.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)

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Sunderland v Fulham teams

Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Breen, Caldwell, McCartney, Hoyte, Whitehead, Miller, Welsh, Brown, Le Tallec.

Subs: Alnwick, Danny Collins, Kyle, Leadbitter, Daryl Murphy.

Fulham: Crossley, Rosenior, Christanval, Pearce, Bridge, Malbranque, Diop, Elliott, Boa Morte, Helguson, McBride.

Subs: Warner, Volz, Brown, Radzinski, John.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire)