Yeah Laporte is supposed to be back by January or so. I imagine they'll look like a completely different side with him back. He is far and away City's best defender.
January is very generous. It's a six month injury and he's been out for only 4 weeks.
Pep might be better moving Walker inside and starting Zinchenko and Cancelo on the flanks. They're probably not going to be able to sign a suitable replacement in January either because any new signing will have to agree to be benched once Stones and Laporte return.