How Manchester City could line up against RB Leipzig

Manchester City have been boosted by the returns of Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne ahead of their Champions League opener with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.

The two attackers have struggled with injury woes since returning from Euro 2020 but are now both in contention to start after making the bench in Saturday's 1-0 win over Leicester City.

De Bruyne and Foden's returns leaves Zack Steffen as City's only injury or illness-related absentee after a positive coronavirus test, while Benjamin Mendy will stand trial in January on rape and sexual assault charges.

Foden must compete with Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling for a spot on the left, though, and the latter will hope to be drafted into the side here as Riyad Mahrez earns a start over Gabriel Jesus on the opposite side.

Ferran Torres has impressed as a centre-forward during the opening stages of this season, but in similar fashion to their run to the final last term, the fit-again De Bruyne could act as the focal point of the attack.

Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva seem set to form an unchanged midfield trio if that is the case, while Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo ought to continue in the wide areas.

Ederson took his rightful spot in goal at the weekend after the ban on Brazilian players was waived, but one change in the heart of defence could see Aymeric Laporte drop out for John Stones alongside Ruben Dias.

Man City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, Silva; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling