How Manchester City could line up against Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could hand John Stones a start in Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium.

Stones recovered from a muscle injury to make his first Premier League appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 loss at Arsenal before the international break, and he then played for an hour in England's 3-1 win over Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday.

The defender, who has also operated in midfield under Guardiola, is set to push for his first Man City start of the season this weekend, and could line up alongside Ruben Dias at centre-back, with Kyle Walker at right-back and either Josko Gvardiol or Nathan Ake on the left.

Man City's only injury concern is with playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is still recovering from a long-term hamstring problem sustained in August.

Meanwhile, Man City can welcome back midfield lynchpin Rodri as he has served his three-match domestic suspension, and the Spaniard is expected to return to the first XI, with either Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis or Kalvin Phillips set to join him in the middle of the pitch.

Bernardo Silva occupied a deeper central role in the defeat to Arsenal, but the Portuguese playmaker will likely move further forward on Saturday and could play on the right flank, with Julian Alvarez moving into a central position in behind striker Erling Haaland, who is hoping to avoid a third successive league game without a goal.

Phil Foden is also an option to begin on the right or the left, while Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, who both began on the substitutes' bench against Arsenal, will also be hoping to force their way back into the first XI.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland