Newcastle United sprung a bit of a surprise at the Etihad Stadium today by naming Harvey Barnes on the bench.

The £38million man has not featured since the FA Cup third round win over Bromley after missing five games with a thigh injury. But Eddie Howe now has another quality option on the bench.

Newcastle had been short on wide men after the departure of Miguel Almiron. Howe was also able to recall Dan Burn to the heart of his defence with the Blyth lad recovered from a groin injury suffered at Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round win last weekend.

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Burn partnered Fabian Schar in the heart of defence while Kieran Trippier started the game at right-back at the expense of Tino Livramento.

On Barnes, Howe had said yesterday: "He's not far, we are really pleased with him how he's looked. He is another player who is close to being on contention."

The other big call made by Howe was to name former Arsenal youngster Joe Willock in midfield with competition growing again in that area with North Shields Juniors graduate Sean Longstaff pushing hard for his place and Lewis Miley also knocking on the door.

Newcastle were bidding to win their first Premier League game at Man City in 25 years with the last victory coming at the old Maine Road site on a day when club legend Alan Shearer scored the winner.

UNITED: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall, Willock, Bruno, Tonali, Gordon, Murphy, Isak.

Subs: Pope, Miley, Longstaff, Osula, Livramento, Barnes, Wilson, Targett, Krafth