Man City players and fans set for show of Aleks Zinchenko support at Everton match

Pep Guardiola insists Aleks Zinchenko is OK to play for Manchester City at Everton despite the intense anxiety over what is happening to his family and friends back in Ukraine.

But the argument is academic in that Zinchenko, despite being excellent in recent performances, was never likely to start in this one, as Joao Cancelo is the man in possession of the left-back slot.

Much more likely is that Zinchenko will start in the FA Cup tie at Peterborough next Tuesday, depending on events in his war-torn country.

Expect an emotional moment with Everton's Ukraine international Vitali Mykolenko.

City have a history of expressing support for individuals facing a tough time, notably Wayne Bridge and Ilkay Gundogan, when t-shirts were donned.

With footballers already expressing support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, it will be interesting to see whether Zincenko's team-mates, and the City fans, have any plans to show their solidarity.

The return of Jack Grealish comes at a moment when questions have been asked of City at both ends of the pitch, following the defeat by Spurs.

That could mean an instant return to the side for the England international, but that would probably require the dropping of one from Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva or even Kevin De Bruyne.

Guardiola showed plenty of loyalty to Grealish in the first half of the season despite some ordinary performances, but with a win needed and the pressure on, it will be interesting to see whether he throws him straight back in.

Jon Stones has done little wrong this season but has had to watch from the sidelines as Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte have been Guardiola's go-to centre back pairing.

He could have few complaints, with that pair