Pep Guardiola will be in the dugout this afternoon as his Manchester City side take on Newcastle looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
There were doubts over whether Guardiola would be able to take charge of the game at St James’ Park after he returned an inconclusive Covid-19 lateral flow test result on Friday.
But Guardiola has since returned a negative follow-up PCR test and the City boss hopes his side can maintain their momentum against Newcastle after hammering Leeds 7-0 in midweek.
City have Joao Cancelo available following suspension and Bernardo Silva starts despite being substituted in the win against Leeds with a muscular problem.
“Everyone is fit, it’s just Ferran (Torres) missing,” said Guardiola. “Joao (Cancelo) is back Leeds and we will travel to Newcastle with everyone ready to play.
With Kevin De Bruyne back in action and impressing against Leeds, City will surely have too much for Newcastle.
“It is not easy to go to Newcastle and get a result so we will need the whole team and hopefully we will be strong enough to get the points,” said Guardiola.
“Newcastle is a very tough opponent. People will talk about our place in the table or their place in the table but when you go to Newcastle you know what sort of game to expect.
Man City starting XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez
Injured: Ferran Torres (foot)
