Early team news: Kyle Walker dropped as Erling Haaland status confirmed for Manchester City vs Burnley (Premier League)

Manchester City play host to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as they hope to maintain their fine form in 2024.

City come into the clash fresh off the back of a history-making victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on an evening where the club scored their first-ever goal at the stadium following it’s completion and their first goal away to Spurs in over eight years.

Nathan Ake’s 88th minute goal away to Ange Postecoglou’s side ensured that the reigning FA Cup holders maintain their hopes of retaining the trophy this season, and face a tricky away clash against Luton Town in round five.

Manchester City come into the contest with a significantly more promising situation on their fitness and injury front than previous occasions this season, with Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland returning to contention for the visit of the Clarets.

John Stones is once again likely to be in the Manchester City matchday squad this week, while Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are back up to full fitness, with Ederson expected to start after recovering from a knock that forced an early withdrawal from the win away at Newcastle.

Ahead of the confirmed line-ups from the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, sources on social media have began releasing information around Pep Guardiola’s selection, with the first details offered by The FPL Newsletter.

According to The FPL Newsletter’s official X channel, Erling Haaland will not start for Manchester City on Wednesday night despite being expected to return to Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad for the first time since injury.

A quartet of information has since followed courtesy of X channel FPL_Brandon, who reports that while Manchester City captain Kyle Walker does not start for the reigning Champions, Rico Lewis comes into the side.

In the attacking roles for Pep Guardiola, it is further reported that Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden will both start for City for the visit of Burnley on Wednesday evening.

Additional reporting from FplToni also reveals that Jeremy Doku starts for Manchester City, while Simon Bajkowski also confirms that Erling Haaland is with the matchday squad and Manuel Akanji is absent.

Pep Guardiola and Vincent Kompany are expected to confirm their respective starting line-ups from 18:30 (UK) on Wednesday evening.

Now confirmed.