How Manchester City could line up against Norwich City

With table-toppers Liverpool taking on Newcastle United earlier in the day, Manchester City will know whether they can go top of the Premier League table by the time kickoff arrives in their evening encounter against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

The reigning champions have made an unbeaten start to the season and won both of their away games, thrashing West Ham United 5-0 on the opening day before winning 3-1 at Bournemouth.

Norwich are second from bottom of the early table, although they will be hoping to build on an impressive 3-1 win against Newcastle United in their opening home game and a fine performance when Chelsea were the visitors, making the Europa League champions work hard for a 3-2 win.

They have not beaten City at Carrow Road since a 2-0 second-tier win in 2001 - the first home game of a season in which their visitors would win the division.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Pep Guardiola could assemble his side on their visit to Norfolk.

Out: Aymeric Laporte (knee), Leroy Sane (knee) Doubtful: Benjamin Mendy (knee), Ilkay Gundogan (illness)

> Click here for Manchester City's full injury and suspension list ahead of this match

Aymeric Laporte is the most notable absentee for City, accentuating Guardiola's defensive issues by picking up a nasty knee injury against Brighton & Hove Albion that could rule the defender out until next year.

Fellow Frenchman Benjamin Mendy needed an operation on his own knee problem but could be ready for inclusion on the bench following a long lay-off, although he is more likely to return in the Champions League against Shakhtar on Wednesday, or when City entertain Watford next week.

Fernandinho could deputise for Laporte at centre-back, although speculation also suggests that John Stones, who has had injury problems of his own but is ready to return, could be reintroduced in defence.

Winger Leroy Sane is a long-term injury victim with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 23-year-old's potential move to Bayern Munich and involvement in City's campaign have been abandoned until next year.

Several of City's squad are returning from successful international appearances during the last week, including Raheem Sterling, who starred in England's 5-3 win over Kosovo, and Kevin De Bruyne, who tormented Scotland as Belgium won 4-0 on their travels.

David Silva's retirement from Spain duty increases his chances of captaining the side, with Guardiola potentially regarding the midfielder as being fresher than his teammates who have represented their nations during the break.

In attack, Sergio Aguero has scored on three of City's last five visits to Norwich, including a double in a 6-1 win in 2012.