Supreme Court judges have called on the former Thai prime minister to be present at the start of his trial on August 14 to face charges concerning "misconduct of a government official and violation of a ban on state officials being party to transactions involving public interests". Thaksin and his wife deny the allegations, relating to a land deal transacted while he was in power, which could carry a 10-year jail sentence. Last week Thaksin said he would only return to Thailand to face corruption charges if he could be sure of a fair trial. "I will return to face the facts and trial if and when the justice system goes back to normal," he said. Meanwhile, new Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is expected to name the experienced Hans Backe as his assistant on Tuesday. Backe, 55, was pictured alongside Eriksson on Monday at the club's Carrington training complex and the images were relayed throughout Sweden. It is a clear sign he is about to start work at Eastlands in tandem with his fellow Swede - the former England manager. Backe, 57, comes with a wealth of experience and has been working as a pundit for Swedish commercial station TV4 after leaving Greek club Panathinaikos. Eriksson turned to Backe after Roland Andersson decided to stay in his role as Sweden's assistant manager. Backe first made his name at Swedish side Hammarby IF, leading the club to the title. He then moved on to Denmark and had a highly successful spell at FC Copenhagen with a hat-trick of championship victories. While things did not work out well for Backe in Greece, he is highly regarded in coaching circles. He is certainly trusted and respected by Eriksson. The pair are expected to link up for the first time on Saturday when City travel to League One Doncaster for a friendly. That game should give Eriksson an indication of just much of an overhaul the squad needs. City are short on quality after the departures in the summer of influential pair Sylvain Distin and Joey Barton.