Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is primed and ready to shuffle his pack for an FA Cup fifth-round tie with Championship opponents Bristol City on Tuesday night (8pm).
Having overcome Chelsea and Arsenal in the world-famous competition, Guardiola and his star-studded side will continue their charge for domestic silverware with question marks over three senior players; namely John Stones (hamstring), Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne (both illness).
De Bruyne recovered sufficiently enough to be named on the bench against Bournemouth for their Premier League win on Saturday afternoon - although he was unused - while Guardiola revealed Stones and Laporte would be assessed after training on Monday afternoon.
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Although the Robins will certainly be no pushovers, Guardiola is guaranteed to rest one or two big names on Tuesday night and hand golden opportunities to his fringe players - such as backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega who has featured in the previous rounds. Kalvin Phillips is another candidate to start.
Guardiola spoke about the former Leeds playmaker during his pre-match press conference, suggesting that it will take Phillips some more time to adapt to his style. However, with Rodri so important to City in the Premier League and Champions League, this could be a priceless opportunity to rest the Spain international.
Stones and Laporte might benefit from a few minutes - depending on their reaction - so too De Bruyne as the Belgium playmaker recovers from illness. But while second-guessing Guardiola and his line-up is never a routine challenge, you would not expect those three to be inked in on the teamsheet.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Bristol City (4-3-3): Ortega; Lewis, Walker, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan (capt), Phillips, Bernardo; Palmer, Alvarez, Foden.
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