Manchester City open their account in the latest edition of the Carabao Cup, with a home tie against Premier League rivals Chelsea on Wednesday night.
This will be City's third competition that they have embarked on in the ongoing season, with their accounts for both the English top-flight and Champions League well underway.
The clash between Manchester City and Chelsea will be the penultimate game before the season breaks for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Pep Guardiola's side host Brentford in their final match before the pause, as they host the London club in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
As for Graham Potter and his squad, they travel to Newcastle United in the late kick-off on Saturday evening.
The Carabao Cup third round may grant either side the opportunity to rotate and rest players ahead of the final English top-flight game week, and certainly amid injury concerns for both teams.
Ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night, here is a comprehensive update on the latest fitness and injury news from both camps!
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's side are in a strong position when it comes to injuries at this stage of the season.
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Despite an early flurry of concerns across the squad, Manchester City now have just one player sidelined and subsequently absent for the visit of Chelsea this week.
Kyle Walker is still recovering from groin surgery following a problem sustained in the Manchester derby last month, while Kalvin Phillips is set to make his return to the matchday squad against the London club this week.
Speaking on the pair and their hopes of making the England squad for the imminent FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Pep Guardiola said during his pre-match press conference, "It is up to Gareth (Southgate, England manager). They are communicating with physios, and doctors and the English national team. Kalvin (Phillips) will be with the squad for the Chelsea game."
Erling Haaland is another player that made his return to the matchday squad, following a foot problem sustained in Champions League matchday five against Borussia Dortmund.
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While Norway will not be at the upcoming tournament in Qatar, Haaland's nation will take on two international friendlies in the coming weeks - with the Manchester City striker called up for action.
Speaking on the fitness of his number nine and whether it would impact his availability for Norway, Pep Guardiola explained, "We will see tomorrow and Saturday (ahead of the Premier League game against Brentford). He is getting better.
“The main thing is the bone was not broken – the ligament is damaged a little bit, so he’s still not perfect right now."
Guardiola continued, “We will see [about playing for Norway against Ireland and Finland] - a week, ten days anything can happen. If he feels good, he will play for the national team - it is so important for the players. I never stop players playing for their national team.”
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Joao Cancelo will be suspended for Wednesday night's game, as he serves a one-game ban picked up through a straight red card against Fulham last Saturday.
Chelsea
Graham Potter has a staggering list of significant injuries to contend with this week.
As many as eight players are potentially sidelined for the away trip to Manchester City on Wednesday night, with a complete list of the problems available below:
- N'Golo Kante, thigh
- Kepa Arrizabalaga, ankle/foot
- Ben Chilwell, thigh
- Carney Chukwuemeka, thigh
- Wesley Fofana, knee
- Reece James, knee
- Mateo Kovacic, knee - Doubtful
- Jorginho, ankle/foot - Doubtful
Topics: Erling Haaland, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, Manchester City, Chelsea, Premier League, Carabao Cup, Transfers, Football
Freddie Pye