Manchester City take on Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday knowing four wins from their four remaining games will see them crowned champions. Phil Foden and Ruben Dias should return to the Manchester City squad for their Premier League clash with Wolves after missing the trip to Nottingham Forest through illness......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The duo have returned to City training and Pep Guardiola has confirmed they are both available to face Wolves, as is Erling Haaland – who made his return at the City Ground off the bench. Ederson left Forest with a sling after being substituted with injury, but scans have not revealed any long-lasting issue and the goalkeeper could return ahead of schedule against Wolves. If he is not ready, Stefan Ortega will deputise in his absence.
Read how our writers think City should line up below and use the interactive widget to pick your best XI:
Joe Bray
Ortega deserves his start even if Ederson is available – Ederson was poor even before he got injured last week, and a fully-fit Ortega is better than a doubtful Ederson. I’d also be tempted to stick with the same centre-back duo that faced Forest – Manu Akanji is first choice nowadays and Nathan Ake has been good, as has Josko Gvardiol at left-back. Maybe John Stones can play at right-back to ease him back in – but I can also see Ruben Dias coming back in.
The rest of the attack picks itself if Phil Foden is back and I’d go with a similar system to the one against Brighton. Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva on the wings, Kevin De Bruyne and Foden in the middle, and Rodri behind them. Haaland can return to the attack in place of Julian Alvarez.
With Stones pushing into midfield, or even Akanji, Rodri is supported and Foden can offer width if Bernardo comes inside. It’s a flexible midfield that can adapt to the situation depending on the context of the game.
Rushing Ederson back for this game isn’t really necessary so I would stick with Ortega. It also gives him one more game to keep his sharpness up before the FA Cup final.
There are plenty of options in defence now with players returning. Stones and Dias can come back into the side for this one, with Walker and Gvardiol at full-backs. That is probably the best back four, with a notable nod to Akanji who has been excellent this season.
Rodri is a certain starter in midfield and De Bruyne and Foden are both playing well at the moment, so can start together and try and make it work centrally. Bernardo and Grealish can offer control from wide and Haaland should return through the middle.