Jires Kembo Ekoko and Emerson could be set to join the list of stars who will turn out for Al Ain against Manchester City on Thursday.

French winger Ekoko, who spent last season on loan at El Jaish, and former Qatar forward Emerson, who played for the Boss during the 2009-10 season, are among a host of players who have been asked to take part in the game against the Premier League champions.

The Hazza bin Zayed clash comes at a busy time for Al Ain as they compete in the AFC Champions League tonight and President’s Cup final on Sunday.

They have therefore taken the decision to draft in reinforcements, with the club confirming on Sunday evening that former players Yasser Al Qahtani and Boubacar Sanogo, as well as Al Wahda forward Ismail Matar, had agreed to play.

It is also understood that former Boss midfielder Jorge Valdivia had been approached to appear in the friendly but has informed the club he will not be able to make it.

In all, 11 players have confirmed their attendance for Thursday, with former Al Ain forward Soufiane Alloudi, Matar’s Wahda team-mate Hamdan Al Kamali, and Bani Yas and UAE midfielder Mohammed Fawzi all set to play.

It is unclear what part, if any, Al Ain’s established players will play with their cup final against Al Ahli just three days later.