There was some positive news for Manchester City over the weekend with the return of two key figures to first-team training.
Due to injury, illness and suspensions, the Sky Blues approached last week’s Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon with just three available first-team defenders.
Kyle Walker was absent due to suspension, an issue which doesn’t apply in the Premier League, Joao Cancelo was ill, and Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias were injured.
However, only the latter is still expected to be out when City travel to Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Walker, Cancelo and Ake all pictured in training over the weekend.
The Manchester Evening News claimed the trio were among 22 players who were involved in a pre-Palace session, meaning Pep Guardiola has plenty more options to choose from as the race for the title continues.
The importance of taking three points from Selhurst Park was made even more evident on Saturday with Liverpool navigating past a rather lacklustre Brighton & Hove Albion side and coming away with a 2-0 win.
It means City hold a three-point advantage at the top of the table, which they will extend with a victory over Palace.
Guardiola has a number of selection conundrums for the clash, the biggest decisions coming in the advanced areas, with Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish all options.
The City manager is likely to select at least two of those on the bench, and we’ve had a look at how we think he’ll line up at Selhurst Park.
1. Ederson
Came off on Wednesday to allow Scott Carson a stint in goal, but there was no injury for City’s first choice between the sticks.
2. Kyle Walker
Missed the Sporting clash through suspension but will likely play at right-back on Monday.
3. John Stones
In Dias’s absence, Stones is more likely to partner Aymeric Laporte at centre-back, despite Ake being an option for Guardiola.
4. Aymeric Laporte
Was sent off in the reverse fixture in October and struggled against Wilfried Zaha’s pace and trickery.