Manchester City will be without the services of the talismanic duo of Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure ahead of trip to Stoke City.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart will, however, make a return to the starting XI having sat out in the previous two games due to a hamstring problem.
The stopper’s return will be a relief for manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has already seen his defence denied the services of Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta due to long-term injury. Mangala, meanwhile, is suspended for the game, too.
Confirming the injury list, Pellegrini was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “The injuries are Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, Patrick Roberts, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.”
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The Citizens will be without Toure, who has a “muscle problem, but, will have Jesus Navas and Fernandinho back.
Speaking on the midfield duo, Pellegrini confirmed their availability “Both are in the squad list and without a problem.
City to miss Aguero
Aguero, who will be a big miss, might be fit in time to play against Monchengladbach in midweek. Speaking on the Argentine international, Pellegrini said: “Sergio is recovering from his heel. He has pain so it is not easy for him to work. Maybe for next weekend we will see. We will see if he can be fit for Tuesday.”
Aguero had come off injured last weekend against Southampton and did not feature in the midweek clash in the League Cup. However, with the Chilean manager confirming that the Argentine will be back sooner than later, Manchester City fans can take a lot of heart from it and hope the quality in the squad can shine through in the absence of arguably their three biggest personalities in the form of Aguero, Toure and Kompany.