Manchester City star ruled out of Newcastle United clash - but duo are expected to return

Manchester City remain without Aymeric Laporte for today’s trip to Newcastle United - but are set to welcome back Kalvin Phillips and Cole Palmer.

The Premier League champions visit St James’ Park having recorded maximum points from their opening games against West Ham United and Bournemouth.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have taken four points by beating Nottingham Forest and earning a goalless draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on the South Coast.

Neither team is yet to concede in the Premier League but the Magpies know they face a difficult task to keep that record intact.

City are ready to bring Phillips and Palmer back into their matchday squad after the pair missed last weekend’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth through injury.

“Cole is back. Kalvin is back,” Pepe Guardiola confirmed during his pre-match press conference. “Some niggles but everyone is okay.”

Guardiola, will, however be without central defender Laporte, who is recovering from knee surgery.

Speaking in July, the Spanish boss said: “Laporte is injured. He had knee surgery after last season. He played the last two or three games with an important injury.

“He made an incredible effort to do that but he could not continue.

“So far he is doing really well but you have to be careful because it is a knee. He needs time. I think August he will be out, but maybe in September he will start to be with us.”

On the Magpies injury front, a late call will be made over Matt Targett’s availability, while Emil Krafth and Jonjo Shelvey are definite absentees.