Sunderland AFC v Manchester City: Fabian Delph to miss Black Cats game

The problem is thought to be minor but manager Manuel Pellegrini - who has confirmed he will be leaving the Etihad in the summer - does not want to risk further damage.

Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov (calf) is fit to return and Joe Hart will be back in goal after being rested for recent cup games.

Captain Vincent Kompany (calf), centre-back Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring) and striker Wilfried Bony (calf) are not ready while Samir Nasri (thigh) and Kevin De Bruyne (knee and ankle) are longer-term absentees.

It comes as Manchester City confirmed Pep Guardiola will replace Pellegrini as manager in the summer.

Guardiola announced late in 2015 that he would be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of his contract in June.

The former Barcelona boss later confirmed he would be managing in the Premier League next season, and it has now been confirmed that the Etihad Stadium is his destination.

Pellegrini revealed the news he would be leaving at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which is a fixture which is now sure to have added attention.

A Man City statement was then released, which said: "Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC head coach for the 2016-17 EPL season onwards.

"The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.

"Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.

"Manuel Pellegrini, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication public, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the club."

Provisional City squad: Hart, Caballero, Sagna, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy, Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, Silva, Navas, Sterling, Aguero, Iheanacho, Celina, Barker, Humphreys.