Ederson keen to start in Manchester City's Champions League opener despite sickening injury

Ederson wants to start against Feyenoord in Manchester City’s opening Champions League match on Wednesday, despite the sickening gash to his face he suffered against Liverpool.

The City goalkeeper was treated for eight minutes on the pitch after being caught full in the face by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s high boot during his team’s 5-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday that left him with a large cut to his left cheek.

Ederson was taken to the nearby Manchester Institute of Health and Performance but tests showed he had not suffered concussion or a fracture to his jaw.

He returned to the Etihad to watch the end of the game and was also seen out in Manchester later that night.

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Claudio Bravo replaced him in goal against Liverpool but Ederson wants to travel to Rotterdam and is eager to start against Dutch champions Feyenoord at the De Kuip Stadium.

City have not ruled out Ederson playing but the club's medical staff want to see how the cut continues to heal before making a final decision.

The Brazilian has enjoyed an impressive start at City since his £34.7 million summer move from Benfica and the prospect of the 24-year-old being passed fit to face Feyenoord would be a huge boost for manager Pep Guardiola.

With Vincent Kompany unlikely to travel after missing the Liverpool game with a calf injury, and Guardiola unwilling to take any chances with the Belgium centre-half's fitness, Danilo could be asked to continue in a three-man defence after a strong showing against the Merseyside club. The Brazilian – a right-back by trade – was the only Premier League player to complete more than 100 passes at the weekend and Guardiola admitted his versatility could be invaluable for City this season.

“He will be so important,” the City manager said. “He can play in the three at the back, he can play full-back - right or left. He can also play holding midfielder. He also knows how to handle the pressure because he's been at Madrid and Porto - clubs where every weekend you have to win. That’s where his mentality comes from and that’s why he’s so important to us.”

Meanwhile, another of City’s summer defensive recruits, Benjamin Mendy, has revealed that he deliberately sought to use Monaco’s Champions League Round of 16 tie against City last season as a platform in which to impress Guardiola. Monaco won 6-5 on aggregate with the Frenchman shining.

“The game against Manchester City was my highlight of last year,” Mendy said. “I already wanted to join the club, to join Guardiola here. When I saw the draw, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. I knew I would do my best and show what I could do so I could come here.”