Brian Kidd is back on familiar ground and looking for City to kick their pre-season preparations up another gear.

The Blues coach spent one happy season with the Atlanta Chiefs in 1981, helping them win the Southern Division title in the old North American Soccer League.

City play Mexico’s Club America in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on Wednesday evening (kick off 8pm local time), and Brian is aiming for an improvement after the disappointment of two defeats in New York over the weekend.

“It’s a game we need because it’s games that brings them on. When we played Sporting Lisbon, that was their ninth game, they are playing in the Europa League this week and were well in advance of us.

“Training is one thing, but we build to the games in training and that’s what helps players get more preparation. And players love to play, so it’s ideal to have another one along quickly.”

The air-conditioned indoor splendour of the Dome is very different to now-demolished Fulton Stadium that the Chiefs called home in Brian’s day, but being back in Georgia has brought lots of good memories flooding back for him.

“I am delighted to be here and I know that the club are as well. I know what a great sporting city Atlanta is and I think everyone will get something out of this game.

“I have some very fond memories of my time here. We won the Southern Division title in the year I was here, and we were up against some big hitters like Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

“They were expected to be title contenders, not us, but we had a good, hard-working team and we played against some great players as well. George Best was with San Jose, Rodney Marsh was over here too and Giorgio Chinaglia was knocking goals in for fun at the Cosmos, so it was a great time.

“I really enjoyed it, I made friends for life in Atlanta and I am thrilled to be back here with City. I hope people enjoy what they see, and that we get some important game-time under our belts.”