Ilkay Gundogan is on the bench as Manchester City meet Ipswich in the Premier League today.
The midfielder on Friday morning sealed a remarkable return to the Premier League champions, just a year after guiding the club to a historic Treble and then leaving to join Barcelona.
A season at Camp Nou was far from a failure under head coach Xavi, but the new manager Hansi Flick is reportedly keen to get Gundogan off the wage bill and Pep Guardiola was more than happy to oblige.
Gundogan last played for Barcelona on August 12 so is not lacking match fitness, and could be named on the bench for the visit of Kieran McKenna’s side. The midfielder’s return was confirmed before the midday deadline to be registered for the weekend, so is expected to be eligible to face Ipswich on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Phil Foden misses out but Savinho starts alongside Jeremy Doku.
Guardiola said of the Brazilian winger: “He feels better. I don't think he's completely top. He's been in training. We'll see today and tomorrow what we will do with him.”
Jeremy Doku could also make way, with Jack Grealish hoping for a chance. Erling Haaland will lead the line again.
Starting Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Gundogan, Nunes, Kabore, McAtee
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday, August 24, 2024
