Jihai Sun, Trevor Sinclair and Geert De Vlieger all return to squad training after enduring an injury blighted campaign last season.
But Nedum Onuoha and keeper, Nicky Weaver are both still sidelined and it could be another two months before they are back on the training pitch.
The players will notice a number of changes at Carrington including a new video lounge where they will assess the opposition and their own performances.
For the manager, Stuart Pearce it is another day at the office. The City boss did not take a break this summer as he prepares for his first full season in the managerial chair.
“My priority has always been to get things up and running from the first day of pre-season,” explained the manager.
“That is what I have been working towards while there are a few things that needed put in place around the training ground.”
The manager spent some time in Europe watching transfer targets but has been unable to add to the squad despite his hopes to have new players in before the start of pre-season.
He admits that he would have liked to be thinking about the next transfer window but with financial constrictions that has not been possible.
“We have been looking all over the place for players,” he added. “The financial situation at the club demands that and it is more difficult than if I was able to splash the cash.
“Working in football management and with the Bosman ruling you have to be working twelve months in advance but I don’t have that luxury at the moment.
“There is of course a concern that we need to get fresh faces in to the club.
“We have a great nucleus here but we need to add to that and we will keep trying until the last day of the transfer window if necessary.”
