Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland sat out the final few minutes of Manchester City's open training session on Thursday
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Manchester City's first team players were put through their paces in front of a large crowd during an open training session on Thursday afternoon at the Joie Stadium.
The Blues held a City Are Back event with entertainment, interviews and activities on the eve of the new season, with plenty of kids and families watching on in the sweltering summer holiday heat.
City welcomed back all their World Cup stars to training on Wednesday, aside from Rodri, who is due back on Friday. The likes of Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku - fresh from signing his new contract - were among those to train in the heat under the watchful eye of boss Enzo Maresca, who addressed the crowd after the session along with record signing Elliot Anderson.
The Blues travel to Cardiff on Sunday for the Community Shield against Arsenal before Bournemouth visit the Etihad for the opening game of the Premier League campaign on Sunday, August 23. Here's what we noted from the open training session.
Haaland sits out finale
The striker, who returned from his post-World Cup break on Wednesday, sat out the final few minutes of the training session. The Norwegian was actively involved in the bulk of training but spent the final few minutes sitting in the centre circle while the squad were put through their final paces.
He didn't appear to be limping as he made his way off the pitch before returning to sign autographs and pose for pictures with City fans. Those supporters will be hoping his absence from the training finale is nothing to worry about.
Squad hint
There were 22 outfield players involved and they included Claudio Echeverri and Jeremy Monga. The latter impressed in his cameo appearance on tour and will hope to be part of the senior squad this season as he bids to make the leap from Leicester to City.
For Echeverri, it's a big summer after two failed loan moves last season. He caught the eye in the Club World Cup last summer and it will be interesting to see whether the 20-year-old stays around the squad or heads out on another loan.
The signs did not look promising for immediate first-team involvement for the Argentine, who was among three outfield players who trained away from the main group for the final squad session, along with Monga and Kaden Braithwaite, suggesting none of the trio will be in the thinking for the Community Shield.
Grealish involved
Jack Grealish missed the summer tour and spent time in Mallorca as he continued to recover from the foot injury that curtailed his campaign at Everton last season.
He had been doing individual work prior to the summer tour but was back in the main group and taking a full part in Thursday's session.
The 30-year-old looks at full fitness but still seems set to depart this summer ahead of the window closing on September 1.
Reijnders' brief appearance
The midfielder is closing in on a City exit with talks ongoing with Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah.
The Netherlands international came out with the City squad as they trained on Thursday but then didn't take part in the session. An exit appears imminent for the 28-year-old.
Maresca energy
The new boss was involved in the sessions, taking an active role in the various training drills but refraining from too much in the way of messaging during the action.
The Italian shared a joke with Abdukodir Khusanov and was in a relaxed mood as he put the players through their paces ahead of the game with Arsenal this weekend.
He spoke after the session and said his expectation is to win titles or at least challenge for trophies.