Why Erling Haaland and three other Man City players miss Everton fixture

Manchester City were without four first-team stars for their first Premier League game after Christmas.

Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Kevin De Bruyne all remained sidelined with their respective injuries that forced them to miss the two matches in the Club World Cup. All three are working towards a return but their absence from the squad at Goodison Park raises questions over whether they can be fit for the visit of Sheffield United in three days; De Bruyne is aiming for a return later in January.

Ruben Dias also misses out with illness. The Portugal international played every minute of the Club World Cup final against Fluminense but has been forced to miss his first Premier League game since the beginning of November. In better news for City, John Stones is fit to face his former side after multiple injury concerns this season.

ALSO READ: Everton vs Man City LIVE updates

ALSO READ: Haaland, De Bruyne injury return dates

Stones forms part of a defence that also includes Nathan Ake, Manu Akanji, and Kyle Walker as City look to improve their domestic form that has seen them keep a clean sheet in just one of their last 10 games in the Premier League. Rodri anchors the midfield with Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes ahead of him - the former Wolves man making his first start in the league since he was hooked at half-time at Molineux three months ago.

Julian Alvarez spearheads the attack after his two goals against Fluminense, while Jack Grealish is looking to score in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career. Bernardo Silva completes the City XI for Pep Guardiola.

The Blues can move back into the top four at Tottenham's expense with a win that would move them to five off leaders Liverpool