Early team news: Three confirmed starters for Manchester City vs Newcastle as Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish make matchday squad

Manchester City supporters have been made aware of three components of Pep Guardiola’s team news on Saturday evening, as the side travel to Newcastle.

The reigning Premier League champions are hoping to retain their fine form across all competitions into the new year, building on last weekend’s emphatic victory in the Emirates FA Cup third round.

Manchester City cruised to a 5-0 victory over Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town, to set up a mouthwatering fourth round tie against Tottenham Hotspur, scheduled for the later stages of January.

City’s perfect start in the cup is accompanied by a last-16 place in the UEFA Champions League, where FC Copenhagen await, and an ongoing race for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title challenge.

Ahead of the confirmed line-ups from St James’ Park this weekend, sources on social media have began releasing information around Pep Guardiola’s selection, with the first details offered by X user FPLMaineRoad.

In the lead up to confirmed information, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden are part of Pep Guardiola’s attack in the north-east this weekend, while Kyle Walker makes up a segment of the defensive line, according to FPLMaineRoad.

In additional reporting, Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips return to the Manchester City matchday squad following illness, while Jack Grealish is also present after suffering from a virus in the week, as per Simon Bajkowski.

Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola are expected to confirm their respective starting line-ups from 16:30 (UK) on Saturday afternoon.

Now confirmed.