Manchester City predicted line-up v Newcastle: Two changes from Arsenal with Rodri out - gallery

Saturday’s game against Newcastle will offer a first indication as to how Pep Guardiola plans to cope with Rodri’s absence.

The Manchester City midfielder will miss the remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury he sustained in last week’s draw against Arsenal, as confirmed by Guardiola in Friday’s press conference.

It’s a huge blow to City, who lost three of the four Premier League matches Rodri missed this season, and Guardiola admitted ahead of the Newcastle game that the squad lacks a like-for-like replacement.

“What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player but the other players altogether can replace what Rodri has given since he arrived to us,” the Catalan explained. “We have to do it as a team and we have to find the way to play during a lot of months without an important player.”

There are several options available to City, with Mateo Kovacic slotting in at the base of midfield during the first four games of the season as Rodri was absent with a hamstring problem. Rico Lewis is another possibility, while Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Manuel Akanji have been named as other alternatives.

Guardiola also must decide whether to stick with the defensively astute Kyle Walker at right-back or turn to Lewis in the full-back role. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Savinho have shared the minutes between them in the attacking wide areas over recent weeks.

With all that in mind, here’s the XI we expect City to line up with at St James’ Park.