Bacary Sagna has volunteered to fill the void left by injured captain Vincent Kompany in the centre of the Manchester City defence.
Belgium international Kompany limped off during Saturday's 1-0 victory at Leicester with a hamstring problem, and City are waiting to discover when their skipper will be able to return.
Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis, Kompany's two regular partners, are likely to be chosen as the centre-back duo in the Premier League match at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Dedryck Boyata is another option, but manager Manuel Pellegrini recently revealed that Matija Nastasic, who has not featured since the Community Shield, is injured.
But right-back Sagna, who has made only four league starts since joining from Arsenal, has offered to deputise for Kompany, with the France international telling the Manchester Evening News: "I have played a few times at centre-back for Arsenal.
"If I have to play, I will play, and always try to give 100 percent and my best for the team."
He added: "I could cope, but we have other players as well who can play. Boyata did well last time against Sunderland. It is not only one player. As long as everyone stays fit, it's good -- but if I have to play in any position, then I will play."