Erling Haaland is back: Pep Guardiola throws Man City's star striker back into starting XI to face Tottenham - but out-of-sorts Kevin De Bruyne is dropped

The Norwegian sustained a knee injury in the latter stages of their 4-0 win at home to Newcastle on February 15. Though he was named on the bench for their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League a few days later, he remained an unused substitute and was then dropped from the matchday squad for Sunday's 2-0 loss at home to Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola was hopeful of recovering Haaland in time for Wednesday's game at Spurs. Indeed, the Catalan coach named the striker in the starting line-up in one of four changes. Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic have also been drafted into the XI, with Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden all dropping to the bench.

City are looking to avenge two defeats to Tottenham already this season following a 2-1 loss in round four of the Carabao Cup and a 4-0 humbling on home soil in the reverse Premier League fixture.

The race for the European places is well and truly on, with only five points separating Nottingham Forest in third and Aston Villa in 10th. Heading into a busy Wednesday of Premier League action, City sit fifth on 44 points, with a trip to Forest coming after Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Plymouth.