Pep Guardiola can introduce a new Man City first team player vs Sevilla

Despite some indifferent performances at the start of the season, Kyle Walker's absence through injury is a blow to Manchester City.

Walker has been one of Pep Guardiola's most reliable defenders since signing in 2017 with his role integral to the success of the team. As well as making important contributions to the shape of the side on the ball, the pace he carries to be able to sweep up in defence and cover for centre-backs has bailed City out on plenty of occasions.

If they don't miss Walker in the Champions League in Seville on Tuesday, Saturday's home game against bogey side Tottenham just became that little bit more nervy without the defender's ability to deal with Son Heung-Min. The sooner he can return, the better.

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Injury for one can present an opportunity for another though, and Guardiola will have to find some way of filling the hole. Curiously, he has several options for Sevilla that should give some indication as to the current pecking order in his defence.

From the academy, 17-year-old Rico Lewis is a direct replacement, while 19-year-old Josh Wilson-Esbrand could play on the left with Joao Cancelo moving over to his natural position on the right. If Cancelo does move, summer signing Sergio Gomez is a more obvious pick on the left after an enterprising 45 minutes against Barcelona.

Starting Gomez in Seville would give a clear message about the minutes that the left-back can expect. Another alternative is that Guardiola starts another new man in Manuel Akanji. Putting the former Dortmund man in the middle could see Nathan Ake at left-back to cover for Walker, with the Dutchman trusted in that position by Guardiola.

Both new men could