The news that Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker will miss the next three games has come as a blow to Manchester City ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle, as both would likely have been in line to start on Boxing Day.
With Sergio Aguero still coming back from injury, Jesus would have been in line to start again against Newcastle, but the Brazilian striker will now self-isolate for 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19 along with Walker and two staff members.
Walker was another player likely to start on Boxing Day after sitting out the Carabao Cup win at Arsenal, but his absence will probably mean Joao Cancelo will have to continue on the right.
Ederson will return for the Premier League, with John Stones in line to feature after his own rest in the week. With the next fixture at Everton just 48 hours after kicking off against Newcastle, it might be well-advised to rest both Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte, with Nathan Ake a steady option to come in.
Benjamin Mendy will surely come in on the left, replacing Aleks Zinchenko, after his own rest at Arsenal.
Into midfield, and Rodri is an ever-present, but if there is a choice between him playing against Newcastle and Everton, it might be better to keep him fresh for the trip to Goodison Park. Kevin De Bruyne can continue, while Ilkay Gundogan will be fresh to come in alongside and ensure City get a valuable three points on the board.
In attack, Ferran Torres will presumably be needed to cover Jesus as Aguero continues his return to full fitness. Pep Guardiola said Aguero is not yet ready for 90 minutes before the Arsenal win, so the plan for the no.10 shouldn't change despite the news of Jesus' enforced absence.
Alongside Torres, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva can support, while also offering the ability for Guardiola to rotate his front three across the forward line.
Predicted Man City XI vs Newcastle: Ederson, Cancelo, Ake, Stones, Mendy; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Sterling, Torres, Bernardo
Use the interactive team selector below to pick your starting XI and have your say in the comments section.
