Team News: David Silva returns to Manchester City's first XI for Stoke City match

David Silva has been handed a starting spot for Manchester City against Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.

The Spaniard's return is one of three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Newcastle United on Tuesday.

Nicolas Otamendi has returned to the back four, replacing captain Vincent Kompany, who is not in today's squad, while Kelechi Iheanacho has been given the nod to start up front alongside Sergio Aguero.

Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph are the players to miss out as manager Manuel Pellegrini has opted to name them among the substitutes instead.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has also made three changes to his side who were beaten 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

Mame Biram Diouf, Phil Bardsley and Joselu come into the first XI, while Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay drop out with injuries and Bojan starts on the bench.

Afellay is likely to face a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a "serious" knee injury in training.

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Mangala, Otamendi, Kolarov; Navas, Toure, Fernando, Silva; Iheanacho, Aguero Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Clichy, De Bruyne, Delph, Bony, Sterling

Stoke City: Given; Muniesa, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Bardsley; Whelan, Cameron; Arnautovic, Imbula, Diouf; Joselu Subs: Haugaard, Adam, Teixeira, Crouch, Bojan, Choulay, Shenton

Follow Sports Mole's live text commentary of the game here.