Manchester City will almost have a fully-fit squad for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens' only injury absentee is Jack Grealish, who suffered a recurrence of a groin problem in an FA Cup win over Luton Town last week and could be sidelined for the remainder of this month, potentially missing England duty for the upcoming international break.
However, Man City were boosted by the return of defender Josko Gvardiol to the matchday squad for last weekend's 3-1 comeback victory over rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, after the Croatian had missed the previous six games with an ankle injury.
It remains to be seen whether Gvardiol will be considered for a start on Wednesday, but his potential inclusion could see Nathan Ake either drop down to the substitutes' bench or move over to centre-back.
With City boasting a two-goal advantage in this last-16 tie after winning the first leg 3-1 in Denmark three weeks ago, Pep Guardiola may consider making a couple of changes to his starting lineup, with Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis three defensive options at his disposal who will be pushing for a recall.
Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are set to battle for a place in midfield alongside lynchpin Rodri, while the absence of Grealish will likely see either Jeremy Doku or Julian Alvarez operate on the left flank, although the latter could play in the number 10 role if Guardiola opts to give Kevin De Bruyne a rest, with one eye on next weekend's Premier League title showdown at Liverpool.
In-form attacker Phil Foden starred in Sunday's Manchester derby with two goals, increasing his goal tally for the season to 18, and the Englishman – who along with De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva scored in the first-leg win over Copenhagen – could continue on the right flank as Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland leads the line.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Oliver Thomas
