How Man City should line up vs Tottenham in FA Cup fixture

Manchester City are back in action after returning from their winter training camp. The Blues travel to north London for a Friday night encounter with Tottenham Hotspur with a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup at stake.

The holders have had to cope with a number of injury problems in the opening months of the season, but could soon be finally back to full strength. Kevin De Bruyne announced his return from long-term injury with his match-winning turn from the bench against Newcastle, while John Stones has returned to training after his ankle injury picked up against Everton last month,

Erling Haaland - missing since early December with a foot injury - has been training with the squad in Abu Dhabi over the last week but Pep Guardiola said in his press conference that the striker isn't ready for the Spurs game. Ederson returns after going off injured at Newcastle but Manuel Akanji is out.

ALSO READ: Every word from Guardiola ahead of Tottenham vs City

ALSO READ: Guardiola tells Man United poaching Omar Berrada isn't enough

Read how our writers think City should line up below and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI to take on Tottenham:

Ederson is back available here but Stefan Ortega is the more likely starter at this stage of the cup you would think. He rarely lets City down. Stones is back but a start might be too early, which leaves defensive resources stretched. Walkes, Dias, Ake and Gvardiol can start again.

Rodri will be required in midfield and I would start Bernardo alongside him, with Kovacic dropping to the bench. That's because De Bruyne is now ready to start games and with a five-day break after this, it makes sense to give him an hour at least at Spurs.

Haaland isn't