How Manchester City could line up against Fulham

After joining from Rennes a week last Thursday, the 21-year-old winger watched on as an unused substitute in last Sunday's 2-1 victory at Sheffield United, and he will be hoping to force his way into the starting lineup against the Cottagers to take the place of either Bernardo Silva or Jack Grealish.

The Citizens, who will have Juanma Lillo on the touchline once again while manager Pep Guardiola continues to recover from back surgery in Barcelona, will be without injured duo Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and John Stones (muscle), with the latter potentially returning after the international break.

However, Manuel Akanji should be available for selection after missing the win at Sheffield United due to illness, and he could be recalled to the starting lineup to partner Ruben Dias at centre-back, which would likely see either Nathan Ake or Josko Gvardiol start at left-back and the other drop to the substitutes' bench.

Last weekend's match-winner Rodri is expected to link arms again with Mateo Kovacic in centre-midfield, and a debut for fellow midfielder Matheus Nunes could be on the cards if he completes his proposed transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers in time.

Phil Foden starred for Man City in their last home match against Newcastle before taking a place on the substitutes' bench against Sheffield United, but the Englishman will be pushing for a return to the first XI on Saturday, battling with Doku, Bernardo and Grealish for a start in attack.

Julian Alvarez will likely retain his place in behind newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year Erling Haaland, who scored in both home and away fixtures against Fulham last season and already has three goals in as many games to his name so far this term.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland