Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is ready to start his first game since August when the Citizens travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
After five months out with a hamstring injury, De Bruyne made his long-awaited return to the first team in City's 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town last weekend, coming on as a substitute for the final half-hour and providing an assist for fellow returnee Jeremy Doku.
De Bruyne and Doku are in contention to feature again on Saturday, but Guardiola has confirmed that he is still having to cope without striker Erling Haaland and defender John Stones as they continue to recover from respective foot and ankle injuries.
Jack Grealish, meanwhile, is a minor doubt due to illness, and the same can be said about Manuel Akanji, who picked up a knee problem in the first half of City's win over Huddersfield, although the defender did return to training earlier this week.
Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips were both absent from last weekend's win due to illness, but the duo should have recovered in time for the trip to Newcastle, although the latter is only expected to keep his seat warm on the substitutes' bench at best as Rodri and either Mateo Kovacic or Rico Lewis link arms in midfield.
Ruben Dias could be partnered in central defence by Nathan Ake, while Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol operate as full-backs in a fluid four-man backline protecting goalkeeper Ederson, who is expected to be recalled at the expense of Stefan Ortega.
Should Bernardo be fit to start, the playmaker could take the place of Oscar Bobb on the right flank, while in-form Phil Foden, who has scored four goals in his last four games, should continue in a central role as either Doku or Grealish operates on the left and Julian Alvarez leads the line.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
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