Manchester City remain without Erling Haaland for their FA Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield.
Haaland has not played since December 6 because of a foot injury and is not in the squad.
Kevin De Bruyne is on the bench and is expected to make his long-awaited comeback as a substitute after almost five months out.
Rodri was a doubt after returning to Spain this week following the death of his grandmother, but he is on the bench.
Pep Guardiola has gone with a strong side, with starts for Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Mateo Kovacic.
Oscar Bobb gets a start. Jeremy Doku is back in the squad after injury.
Guardiola has urged for patience with De Bruyne, who was an unused substitute for last week’s win over Sheffield United. Any return to action is likely to be incremental.
Guardiola said: “Right now I don’t ask to Kevin to play his best level.
“We cannot force a player with a long injury in this kind of situation. From my experience as a football player, it happened quite similar. I was one year with hamstring problems. When you come back you need time.
“It’s not, ‘OK play, it’s the best Kevin’. You have to be relaxed, enjoy the minutes he’s going to play, try to win the games.
“Kevin maybe in 20 minutes can help us more right now than 90 minutes. After that his body will dictate how many minutes more he can get.”
Stefan Ortega starts in goal.
Confirmed Man City XI: Ortega Moreno, Akanji, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Gomez, Lewis, Kovacic, Bobb, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
Subs: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Doku, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Nunes, Wright, Hamilton
Time and date: 2pm, Sunday January 7, 2024
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TV channel: BBC iPlayer
