Pearce: Thatcher ready to return

Stuart Pearce is convinced Ben Thatcher will suffer no adverse effects from the turmoil created by his disgraceful attack on Pedro Mendes.

Thatcher is expected to make his return to first-team duties with Manchester City on Monday, just over nine weeks since the forearm-first assault which knocked the Portsmouth player unconscious and left him requiring hospital treatment and a brain scan.

"I have not seen what happened have any effect on Ben during training and I wouldn't expect it to do so in games either," said Pearce. "We are pleased with the way he has coped during his suspension. He has trained every day and worked very hard, so it is good we finally have him available to play."

As a keen student of the Barclays Premiership table, Pearce knows far better is expected than his side are currently delivering.

If results go against them this weekend, City could find themselves just one place above the relegation zone come kick-off on Monday, not the ideal scenario for Pearce given Blues chairman John Wardle has suggested last term's 15th-place finish was not good enough. The relatively low finish cost the Blues financially, both in television revenue and Premier League prize money.

While the dip did not prevent City recording increased turnover of £61.8million and a 46% rise in profits to £5.1million, Wardle and his board still felt it was a major underachievement. And he has warned a place in the top flight alone can no longer be viewed as a measure of success for the Eastlands outfit.

"Whilst Premiership survival remains an objective, it alone does not represent a successful season for Manchester City," said Wardle.

"We finished in 15th place (last year), despite running a wage bill that should have seen us comfortably in the top half of the table."

Although Wardle has been attacked by some sections of the City support for failing to provide Pearce with adequate financial backing, the manager did spend £8.5million on new players during 2006, the majority of which went on Greek striker Georgios Samaras.

In addition, external debt fell to £32.2million, although a further £19million is still owed to Wardle and business partner David Makin.