Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City could be boosted by the return of several first-team stars for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens, who lost each of their last four games prior to the international break, have received a welcome injury boost this week as Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Manuel Akanji have all taken part in training along with Nathan Ake, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes.
All eight players could be in contention to play this weekend, but Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic is facing a spell on the sidelines with an unspecified injury, while Ruben Dias (calf) and youngster Max Alleyne (unspecified) are also unavailable for selection. Meanwhile, Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) remain long-term absentees.
Guardiola, who has signed a new two-year contract extension at the club, handed Jahmai Simpson-Pusey his Premier League debut in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton last time out, but the 19-year-old could be replaced in central defence by one of Stones, Akanji or Ake if they are deemed fit to start.
Josko Gvardiol was also handed a start at centre-back against Brighton, but he will likely move over to left-back as Rico Lewis and ex-Spurs man Kyle Walker – who both represented England last week – battle for a start at right-back.
Lewis could also be considered for a start in centre-midfield along with Stones and Akanji, as Guardiola weighs up how to cope without Kovacic. A well-rested Ilkay Gundogan – who retired from international football with Germany a few months ago – is also in contention to start in a deep-lying midfield role.
Both Foden and De Bruyne could be called upon to operate in advanced midfield roles, and versatile playmaker Bernardo Silva could play out wide if he is not deployed centrally, while Savinho and Erling Haaland – the latter scored four goals in two games for Norway over the international break – are both set to start in the final third.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Gundogan; Bernardo, Foden, Savinho; Haaland
> Click here to see how Tottenham Hotspur could line up for this contest
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