Pep Guardiola has backed Gabriel Jesus to fill the void left by Sergio Aguero this evening.
Manchester City will be without their all-time leading scorer for the rest of the season following knee surgery.
There’s still hope he could recover in time to take part in the Champions League next month - but it’s up to Jesus to lead the line until then.
The Brazilian hasn’t scored in eight games - but Guardiola insists he has complete faith in the striker.
“No one can compare to Sergio, with what he has done in his career,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game against Southampton. “First, because he is older than Gabriel. It is perfect for us because they are complementary. What one guy has, the other one struggles.
“Gabriel has something unique in the world. He helps us to be more aggressive. He is a fighter. We have scored many goals in the last five games thanks to him.
“He is something special. It is unfair for all of us, to compare me as a manager to another one and to compare players.
“Every player is different. We have to adapt his qualities for the benefit of him and the team.”
Fernandinho is available again after suspension and goes straight back in to midfield.
Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond, Ings, Adams
Subs: Long, Djenepo, Obafemi, Smallbone, Gunn, Vokins, Danso, Jankewitz, Ferry
Man City: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Silva, Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling
Subs: Bravo, Stones, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Otamendi, Foden, Doyle, Harwood-Bellis
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
