Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.
Manchester City could welcome back Erling Haaland from injury for Wednesday’s Premier League encounter with Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian goal machine has been sidelined since the start of December with a “bone stress reaction” in his foot and has subsequently missed each of City’s last 10 games in all competitions.
However, Haaland has returned to first-team training and Pep Guardiola recently revealed that the striker is “on the verge” of making his comeback.
Manuel Akanji, meanwhile, is Man City’s only other injury concern and is regarded as a doubt for the visit of Burnley as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Guardiola named a strong Citizens lineup for last Friday’s 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round, and he is unlikely to make widespread changes on Wednesday, although first-choice goalkeeper Ederson is set to replace Stefan Ortega between the sticks.
A back four of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol could remain intact, with John Stones potentially in a position to make an appearance as a substitute having only just returned from injury, while an impressive display against Spurs from Mateo Kovacic could be rewarded with another start in the engine room alongside lynchpin Rodri.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish will both battle with Oscar Bobb, who started against Spurs, for a place on the left flank, while Guardiola has revealed that Kevin De Bruyne will soon be ready to start matches having featured as a substitute in each of the last three games since recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.
In-form duo Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are expected to feature in the final third along with Julian Alvarez, who will likley continue as the central striker if Haaland is not deemed fit to feature.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Doku; Alvarez
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