Manchester City kick off their 2016-17 Premier League campaign tonight against Sunderland.
Surprisingly Joe Hart has been left out of City’s starting line-up while new transfer John Stones will make his debut.
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe was a doubt going into the game but the former England international has passed a late fitness test.
The 25-year-old has been ruled out with a knee injury he sustained while still at Borussia Dortmund. Gundogan isn’t expected to feature until September due to a dislocated knee which also cost him a place in Germany’s Euro 2016 squad.
City were active during the summer transfer window, signing Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and John Stones. There are now a total of four ethnic Turks born in Germany in the Premier League – Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, West Ham loanee Gokhan Tore as well as Ozil and Gundogan.
Manchester City v Sunderland
Kick-Off: 17:00 (GMT)
Stadium: Etihad stadium
Manchester City: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Silva (C), Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguer
Sunderland: Mannone, Love, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, O’Shea, Rodwell, Gooch, Watmore, Borini, Defoe.
