But Weaver has finally returned to full fitness, playing 14 games on loan at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season, and insists he will be pushing James for a place in City's starting line-up next season.
"People who think I have taken an easy option to sit on the bench for a year are severely mistaken," Weaver told the the City website.
"All professional footballers want to play and so do I - for Manchester City.
"I suppose I could have gone somewhere else and played first-team football, but I genuinely feel I am in good enough shape for the first time to put real pressure on Jamo for the starting role. I still believe I am young enough to have a future here."
If Weaver signs, it will be his 10th season at the club after signing from Mansfield in April 1997, and he has made 176 appearances for the Blues.