Kevin de Bruyne returned to the starting Manchester City starting line-up, to the fans' delight, for their clash with Brighton after suffering an injury scare in their Champions League win over Atletico Madrid which forced him to miss their defeat to Liverpool.
But it was further concern for Kyle Walker as John Stones was named in the defence alongside Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake with Joao Cancelo maintaining his spot at full-back. Ilkay Gundogan, who was also an unused substitute against Jurgen Klopp's side on Saturday, returned to the fold to captain the Blues.
City are looking to reclaim top spot after Liverpool leapfrogged them to move to the Premier League summit after their resounding 4-0 win over the Blues' cross-city rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Pep Guardiola's side were narrowly beaten at Wembley last time out to their title rivals as De Bruyne wasn't risked.
