Manchester City's first-team stars have returned to training at the City Football Academy for the first time since the club's guilty verdict issued by the Premier League.
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It is now over two weeks since Manchester City were shaken by the findings of an independent commission, who adjudged the club to have committed serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
A statement issued by the top-flight indicated that City had artificially inflated their commercial revenue during the aforementioned period by approximately £830 million, leaving all those associated with the club awaiting punishments.
In the meantime, Manchester City continue to insist upon their innocence, lodging a 'comprehensive' appeal against the Premier League's decision, pointing towards their 'irrefutable body of evidence' that will ultimately 'clear' the club's name.
For now, the task remains firmly set on the hunt for the Premier League title and extending a seven-game winning streak established by Enzo Maresca and his players during the opening weeks of the brand new campaign.
Haaland and Maresca spotted returning to training
Now, as reported by MailSport, Manchester City's players have returned to training at the City Football Academy after the international break, and for the first time since the club's guilty verdict issued by the Premier League last month.
It is detailed that manager Enzo Maresca was the first to arrive at the club's training ground shortly after 9:30am, giving the awaiting photographers an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
#ManCity have returned to training! 😁👍 📸 Martin Rickett/PA Wire
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The Italian coach was followed after midday by the club's star striker Erling Haaland, who issued a double thumbs up for the photographers awaiting the arrival of the Manchester City squad.
Erling's BACK! 👍👍 📸 @PA
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Man City's plans for the week detailed
Ahead of Manchester City's return to training, it had been reported that manager Maresca was lining up a collective meeting with his players, addressing the matters of the last three weeks off the field concerning the club.
Whilst the details of that meeting have not been revealed, it is expected that the 46-year-old would insist upon the focus being placed firmly on the competitive task at hand on the pitch, with Andoni Iraola's Liverpool the next contest.
The visit to Anfield on Sunday afternoon is expected to bring with it a hostile environment, as opposition fans get their first opportunity to react to the Premier League's decision concerning Manchester City.
Merseyside Police have already insisted that they are prepared for the welcome of Manchester City's team bus, and are aware of Liverpool fans arranging a 'Bus Greeting' for Enzo Maresca's side around two hours before kick-off at Anfield.
Local authorities will be on high alert after Manchester City were on the receiving end of an attack on their team coach in 2018, as Liverpool fans caused thousands of pounds worth of damage ahead of a UEFA Champions League meeting between the two clubs.