Team News: Seven changes for Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has made seven alterations to his Manchester City starting lineup for this afternoon's Premier League encounter against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri have all been dropped to the bench, while captain Vincent Kompany is absent from the squad altogether.

As a result, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli will form a strike partnership for the champions.

Meanwhile, Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar has returned to the Sunderland side and will partner John O'Shea in defence.

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Richards, Lescott, Kolarov; Milner, Barry, Y. Toure, Silva; Balotelli, Tevez

Sunderland: Mingolet; Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea, Colback; Larsson, Johnson, Gardner, McClean; Sessegnon; Fletcher