Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
De Bruyne watched on as an unused substitute as the Citizens beat Brentford 1-0 on Tuesday, but Pep Guardiola stated after the match that he 'did not want to take any risks' with the Belgian who is nursing "niggles" in his hamstring.
While City's No.17 will be assessed ahead of kickoff, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol both remain sidelined as they continue to recover from respective muscle and ankle injuries.
Following his man-of-the-match display on the left side of a back four against Brentford, Manuel Akanji will hope to fend off competition from Nathan Ake, who was an unused substitute in midweek; the former could, however, move across to centre-back if Guardiola opts to replace either John Stones or Ruben Dias.
Midfield duo Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes will be looking to force their way back into the first XI alongside Rodri; Rico Lewis is another option at Guardiola's disposal as well as Bernardo Silva, who began centrally against Brentford but could be deployed on the right flank if required.
Oscar Bobb was handed his first Premier League start versus the Bees, but his place in the final third in under threat from fellow winger Jeremy Doku, who scored one and registered four assists in the 6-1 win over Bournemouth in the reverse fixture just over three months ago.
Julian Alvarez will presumably retain his spot in the number 10 role, especially if De Bruyne is not fit to start, although Phil Foden is another who could play centrally if he is not chosen to start on the right, while Erling Haaland – who netted his 17th Premier League goal of the season in midweek – is expected to lead the line.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Oliver Thomas
