Man Cityvs.Newcastle

Both players picked up muscle injuries in the Citizens' 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Pep Guardiola has suggested that they may not recover in time for next week's second leg, making them major doubts for City's clash with the Magpies.

Rodri (ACL) remains sidelined and Oscar Bobb is doubtful as he continues to build up his fitness in training, while new signing Nico Gonzalez could be ready to make his home debut, but will be assessed after watching on as an unused substitute against Real Madrid, three days after being forced off injured against Leyton Orient last weekend.

The potential absence of Akanji, who started at right-back against Real Madrid, could see Guardiola select either Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes on the right side of defence, while Stefan Ortega will be pushing to return in goal ahead of Ederson.

Nathan Ake played for an hour on his return from injury in midweek and could be fit to start again in central defence alongside Ruben Dias, John Stones or Abdukodir Khusanov, while Josko Gvardiol is expected to continue at left-back.

Stones started in midfield against Real Madrid before moving back into the heart of defence midway through the second half. Guardiola could be tempted to stick with Stones in midfield, but he may instead call upon Gonzalez - if fit - and either Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva.

Jeremy Doku has recovered from injury and is an option to start on either flank along with Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden. The latter two are also contenders to operate centrally, as is Kevin De Bruyne, in behind striker Erling Haaland, who scored twice in midweek.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

Written by

Oliver Thomas