The Manchester derby: Early team news

CITY’S TEAM NEWS

The Blues have been hit by a COVID-19 outbreak in recent weeks, which meant they had to postpone their Premier League trip to Everton on 28 December. Sunday’s game against Chelsea went ahead, with City eventually winning 3-1, but only after Pep Guardiola confirmed that a number of his squad would have to miss out after contracting the virus.

Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were confirmed to have tested positive on Christmas Day, while it was announced Eric Garcia also had COVID-19 hours before the trip to Stamford Bridge. Goalkeeper Ederson and winger Ferran Torres also missed out on the trip to the capital, as they are self-isolating.

Away from COVID-19, Aymeric Laporte, who scored in City’s win over Arsenal in the quarter-finals, is a doubt with a minor hamstring complaint, while fellow defender Nathan Ake also sat out the game against Frank Lampard’s side due to injury, meaning Guardiola could only name eight substitutes, rather than the permitted nine.

There was some good news on the fitness front for City late on, as Sergio Aguero came off the bench – the Argentinian striker has yet to play a full 90 minutes for our crosstown rivals this season, and missed the goalless draw at Old Trafford last month.

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