David Silva has only been included among the Manchester City substitutes for tonight's home encounter against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted during yesterday's press conference that the Spanish playmaker was fully fit, so his omission from the starting lineup has come as a surprise.
Jesus Navas is the man that has benefited from Silva's absence as he forms part of an attacking trio behind lone striker Sergio Aguero.
As for the visitors, captain Phil Jagielka has been named in defence, but the match has come too soon for injured midfielder Tom Cleverley.
Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernando, Toure; Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Humphreys, Delph, Silva, Iheanacho
Everton: Howard; Funes Mori, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; Besic, Barry, Osman; Barkley, Deulofeu; Lukaku
Subs: Robles, Oviedo, Kone, Mirallas, Lennon, Pienaar, Galloway
Follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of the encounter in East Manchester here.
Liam Apicella
