Manchester City approach Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers with an almost fully fit squad to choose from.
The champions were without just two players last weekend in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest with Ruben Dias and Phil Foden missing out through illness. Both should be back to face Wolves on Saturday, while Erling Haaland made a goalscoring return at the City Ground and is fit again after a recent muscular injury.
The one downside was the knock Ederson sustained. The goalkeeper was replaced at half-time after colliding with Willy Boly, and was seen leaving the stadium wearing a sling. Pep Guardiola also said the injury ‘doesn’t look good’ after the match, but confirmed in Friday’s press conference that the 30-year has trained this week.
Ederson remains a doubt against Wolves, especially given Stefan Ortega started five matches in March and April which allowed City’s first-choice keeper to recover fully from a separate injury.
With no midweek matches either side of the game, Guardiola does not have to worry about rotation and will choose his strongest line-up against Gary O’Neil’s side.
John Stones and Dias haven’t started in the last two matches and are options to start at centre-back, while Mateo Kovacic’s impressive second-half showing against Forest could see him named in the team. Haaland might also return and last started in the Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid on 17 April.
With all that in mind, here’s how we think City line up to face Wolves…
1. GK: Stefan Ortega
The first of four changes comes in nets with Ederson dropping out. Guardiola is confident in his no.2 keeper's ability and he has already made 17 appearances this season.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Was well below his usual standards last week and struggled against Ola Aina. But Walker is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
Has been a regular in the team over recent weeks and looks more likely to start at centre-back over Stones, who has had his minutes monitored over recent weeks.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Hasn't started in the last three but might return to the team with Nathan Ake dropping out. The Portugal defender scored an own-goal in the reverse fixture at Molineux in September.