Michael Ball and Nicky Weaver are waiting to open new contract talks with Manchester City.

Ball and long-serving keeper Weaver are the two remaining players on City's books who do not yet have a deal in place for next season. City want to keep former Everton defender Ball, who impressed after joining on a six-month deal from PSV, and a new contract is expected to be sorted out shortly.

Weaver's talks have been complicated by new owner Thaksin Shinawatra's comments last week that the Blues need a new goalkeeper, says the Manchester Evening News.

The popular keeper, who fought it out with Sweden international Andreas Isaksson for the No 1 spot last season, is keen to complete talks on a two-yea r contract which would include a testimonial.