MX23RW : Wednesday, February 19 19:33:28| >> :600:1057147:1057147:
Feb 19, 2020 at 7.30pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Man CityManchester City
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Who could replace Raheem Sterling for Manchester City?

Who could replace Raheem Sterling for Manchester City?
© Reuters
The England forward has a hamstring injury.

Manchester City will be without England forward Raheem Sterling for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the options manager Pep Guardiola has to cover his absence.

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva can operate on the left
Bernardo Silva can operate on the left (Adam Davy/PA)

There have been many occasions when Sterling and Silva have operated in the same side, often with the England international playing to the left and the Portuguese to the right. In this instance Silva would take up Sterling's position on the left. Riyad Mahrez, as he has for a lot of the campaign, would provide balance on the right in a fairly seamless change.

Phil Foden

Phil Foden is hoping for an opportunity
Phil Foden is hoping for an opportunity (Martin Rickett/PA)

The highly-rated teenager continues to wait patiently for opportunities at the Etihad Stadium and this could open up a spot. He is not a natural replacement for a forward like Sterling, however. Bringing in the youngster would probably require someone else – a versatile performer such as Kevin De Bruyne for instance – switching position to accommodate him.

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus provides a different option
Gabriel Jesus provides a different option (Mike Egerton/PA)

Sterling's absence could also give City chance to experiment with a different shape and bring in a second out-and-out striker. Sergio Aguero and Jesus rarely operate together as twin strikers but they were used in tandem with notable success in last month's 6-1 win at Aston Villa and it might be worth trying again. City will want to have a number of options at their disposal when their Champions League tie with Real Madrid comes around.

Leroy Sane

City have badly missed Leroy Sane this season
City have badly missed Leroy Sane this season (Adam Davy/PA)

The German winger, who has been out since suffering a knee injury in the Community Shield, is hoping to return to action in the near future. Sunday may come too soon but if Sterling's absence lasts a little while, Sane would be an obvious choice for the left-hand side.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City26164665293652
3Leicester CityLeicester26155654262850
4Chelsea2612594336741
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2611784334940
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2610972824439
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
9Everton26106103438-436
10Arsenal2671363634234
11Burnley26104123039-934
12Southampton2694133248-1631
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2687112440-1631
14Crystal Palace2679102332-930
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2669113138-727
16Bournemouth2675142640-1426
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham2667133043-1325
18Aston Villa2674153450-1625
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418

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