Gardner's spent more time on the physio's table than the football pitch for the last four years. The last of his 144 appearances for Tottenham was in October 2007. He then joined Everton on loan for the second half of the season but didn't get a single game.
City have paid Tottenham to have Gardner on loan until January, when the deal could become permanent. Premier League rules state that Phil Brown is allowed to have two loan players on the books at any one time and a maximum of four over the season, but if Gardner does sign permanently then he will no longer count towards the quota.
He won't be allowed to play for City in the match at White Hart Lane in October or the return home fixture in February, even if the transfer has become permanent by that stage.