Four players who can answer keeper call...
THE season is only two weeks old yet City have already been dealt a tough hand following two serious injuries.
Kevin de Bruyne’s knee injury has been followed by an even worse setback for second-choice keeper Claudio Bravo.
The Chilean could be out for the entire season after he suffered an Achilles tendon injury in training on Monday.
It leaves the Premier League champions without a recognised number two, having sold Angus Gunn and Joe Hart in the summer transfer window.
Daniel Grimshaw is the club’s recognised third-choice keeper, and with Aro Muric out on loan Pep Guardiola might need to dip into the transfer market to secure another experienced shot-stopper.
M.E.N. Sport look at a handful of free agent alternatives City could turn to in an effort to solve their goalkeeping dilemma.
OSCAR USTARI Argentine goalkeeper Ustari is currently out of contract following a successful two-year spell in Mexico with Atlas. The 32-year-old has experience of playing in the Premier League from a brief spell at Sunderland in 2014.
Ustari is capable of playing out from the back, although not at the same levels demanded by Guardiola.
His own career has been hampered by injury, but has represented the national team as well as winning Olympic gold at the 2008 Olympics in a team which featured Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta.
DIEGO CAVALIERI Brazilian shot-stopper Cavalieri is another experienced option who could aid the team in their daily training sessions.
The 35-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Crystal Palace in June. His time at Selhurst Park was not his only experience of England, having also spent a spell at Liverpool between 2008 and 2010.
He enjoyed his best spell at Fluminese where his performance saw him called up to the Brazil side, and he was a part of the squad which won the Confederations Cup in 2013.
EIJI KAWASHIMA The 35-year-old is another vastly experienced option who could provide suitable cover.
Kawashima isn’t necessarily in the mould of a traditional ball-playing keeper suited to Guardiola, but he would offer the level of cover required for the season ahead.
The Japan international is another free agent having been released by French side Metz in the summer and enjoyed a seasonlong spell at Dundee United in 2015.
He started all four games for Japan at the World Cup’s in both South Africa and Russia.
STUART TAYLOR Everyone loves a reunion, right? Taylor is a free agent yet again following his release from Southampton in the summer. The 37-year-old is well used to life at the Etihad having spent three years at the club between 2009 and 2012.
He is well accustomed to life as a back-up keeper and wouldn’t be an unpopular choice to welcome back to the club.