Manchester City train at their top-of-the-range facility as Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Co use fence stretchers to strengthen their muscles in preparation for the new Premier League season

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Manchester City's first team are finally back training in England, as their preparations continue with less than ten days to go until the Premier League season gets underway.

David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta were all at the City Football Academy on Thursday morning, as Manuel Pellegrini took charge of the session ahead of their final pre-season game against Stuttgart.

They face the German side at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday before their domestic campaign gets started away to West Bromwich Albion on August 10.

Manchester City's stars were back at their training facility on Thursday after returning from the pre-season tour

Sergio Aguero (right) smiles as the first team train at the City Football Academy ahead of their friendly against Stuttgart

David Silva (left) uses the special elasticated knee braces to improve the strength of the muscles around his joint

The Argentinian has an array of boots to choose from in the changing room before training gets underway

Joe Hart looks in good form as the City goalkeepers are put through a good workout at the training base 

Aguero, who has suffered serious knee injuries in the past, uses the special equipment as Manuel Pellegrini (right) takes the session

It's clearly something the City physios are trying to implement, so players don't suffer long-term knee injuries  

During training, the City players were pictured with special elasticated knee braces, which is used to strengthen the muscles and tendons around the joint using the tension when they leans forward.

The goalkeepers including Joe Hart, Willy Caballero and Richard Wright had a tough work out between the sticks as they trained away from the main group of players. 

It's been a busy pre-season for City, with games in the International Champions Cup in Australia and an exhibition clash against Vietnam in Hanoi, which their South American stars missed due to being on Copa America duty.

With them all back in contention now, Pellegrini has the chance to fully assess his squad ahead of the opener and he is expecting an improvement on last season, when they finished empty-handed, and wants to win back the title they conceded to Jose Mourinho's side.

He said: 'We have to work hard in the next two weeks as we start the Premier League on August 10. Last year we were runners-up behind Chelsea and I hope this time we can win the title.

Samir Nasri, who has been linked with Juventus, chats with centre back Eliaquim Mangala during the session

Bruni Zuculini (left) and Aleksander Kolarov lead the group for a gentle jog around the pitch as they warmed up 

Hart is in good spirits and is clearly excited about the new Premier League season being just around the corner 

Willy Caballero will be looking to push the England international all the way and become City's No 1 goalkeeper 

Richard Wright, who has been at the club since 2012, gets down low to make a save during the session with the goalkeeping coaches

'It's a very close Premier League with five or six important teams so it's difficult to win it. But I am sure we will see Manchester City again fighting for the title.

'In the Champions League, we have improved the last two seasons as we reached the last 16 which we never did before. After that we were very unlucky to draw Barcelona but this year I hope we will reach the last eight.' 

New signing Raheem Sterling is settling into life at City nicely and has impressed since joining the club, being in good form during the tour, scoring three goals in as many matches.

The 20-year-old joined in controversial circumstances from Liverpool in a deal worth £49million after he refused to travel with his former employers in an attempt to force a move to the Etihad Stadium.

(From left) Jason Denayer, Wilfried Bony, Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Pablo Zabaleta do some warm-up exercises 

Experienced defender Martin Demichelis walks to the changing room before Pellegrini's session got started