Thatcher handed instant recall

Ben Thatcher was handed an instant recall to the Manchester City starting line-up by manager Stuart Pearce for tonight’s Premiership encounter with Middlesbrough.

Thatcher has only just completed the eight-match ban he received for his assault on Portsmouth’s Pedro Mendes but with City under fire following their four-goal hammering at Wigan last weekend, the former Wales defender was brought straight back into the fold.