The Argentina international, City's top scorer with 26 goals this season, has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury.
Fellow forward Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) and defender Matija Nastasic (knee) are both ruled out.
Midfielder Liam Bridcutt will be the only significant absentee as Sunderland attempt to upset the odds.
The midfielder is cup-tied having already played for former club Brighton in the competition earlier this season, and Lee Cattermole is likely to play the holding role in front of Gus Poyet's back four at Wembley.
Striker Connor Wickham will not be involved having joined Leeds on loan for the rest of the season on Wednesday, while keeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder) is the only man to miss out through injury.
Manchester City (from): Pantilimon, Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Demichelis, Lescott, Boyata, Kolarov, Clichy, Milner, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Garcia, Rodwell, Aguero, Negredo, Dzeko, Lopes.
Sunderland (from): Mannone, Ustari, Celustka, Alonso, Bardsley, O'Shea, Vergini, Cuellar, Roberge, Cattermole, Gardner, Ki, Giaccherini, Johnson, Colback, Larsson, Ba, Mavrias, Altidore, Borini, Scocco, Fletcher.