Isaksson is set to face Newcastle United's reserve side on Tuesday as he lines up for his first match of the season.

Sweden's World Cup goalkeeper has suffered several injuries since arriving at Eastlands last year and is yet to figure at all under new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Isaksson broke his thumb during City's pre-season campaign and then, after returning home to play for his country in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark last month, immediately picked up an ankle injury.

Although youngsters Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart have performed creditably for City so far this term, Isaksson is the only experienced goalkeeper in Eriksson's squad at present, so his availability would be a major plus.

And while the 26-year-old is unlikely to be considered for Sunday's Barclays Premier League match with Middlesbrough, he could be in contention once the forthcoming international break is over providing he comes through Tuesday's outing unscathed.

cannot decide

"We were happy for Andreas to go away with Sweden, it did him good," said Eriksson. "But he has needed a lot of treatment on his ankle because it has been quite sore.

"However, he has had two good training sessions at 100 per cent now, so, if everything goes okay, he will play for the reserves at Newcastle."

Eriksson admitted he cannot decide who is the first choice out of his three goalkeepers, after playing Hart in Saturday's 3-1 win over Newcastle United.

"It was a very difficult decision because Kasper has done extremely well and kept a lot of clean sheets," said Eriksson.