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Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round clash with Plymouth Argyle.

Manchester City could be without five players for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round clash with Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium.

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has made a welcome return to individual training after five months out with an ACL injury, but the Spaniard remains unavailable for selection along with defenders Manuel Akanji (abductor) and John Stones (thigh).

Pep Guardiola revealed during the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference that Jack Grealish is a doubt, while Oscar Bobb is closing in on a return to full fitness, but this weekend's game will likely come too soon for the attacker.

However, one player who could be involved is new signing Claudio Echeverri, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who has now arrived in Manchester and has an outside chance of making his debut after starring at the Under-20 South American Championship, where he captained Argentina to a runners-up finish.

Guardiola is expected to make a number of changes to the City side that beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday, with Stefan Ortega pushing to return in goal at the expense of Ederson.

Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake and Vitor Reis are all in contention to start in defence, while James McAtee - who scored a hat-trick in the 8-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup third round - is likely to start in midfield.

Fellow academy graduate Nico O'Reilly is an option to start at either left-back or in midfield, while senior quartet Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne could also be named in the first XI after beginning as substitutes last time out.

Erling Haaland recovered from injury to start and score the only goal against Spurs in midweek. Guardiola will now be tempted to rest his striker this weekend, which could open the door for Divin Mubama to lead the line. Omar Marmoush is another candidate to start up front, and could also battle Savinho and Jeremy Doku for a start on either flanks.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Reis, Ake, O'Reilly; Gundogan, De Bruyne; McAtee, Foden, Doku; Marmoush

> Click here to see how Plymouth Argyle could line up for this contest

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