5 Man City wonderkids who could feature in FA Cup as seven stars isolate

Manchester City will field a number of youngsters in their FA Cup clash against Swindon on Friday evening.

It is a result of a Covid breakout at the club that has seen Pep Guardiola test positive for the virus, as well as assistant Juanma Lillo.

Both will now isolate while in total there are 14 members of staff who returned positive cases, as well as seven players.

Assistant coach Rodolfo Borrell will take charge of the match against Swindon but did not confirm who will be missing from the squad ahead of the FA Cup clash.

If the game still goes ahead, it is likely that City will field a number of youngsters - but who has been impressing for the academy?

Kayky

The Brazilian was signed from Fluminese last summer and has gone straight into the Under-23s and already making an impact.

Despite being just 18, he has been compared to Neymar for his mesmerising dribbling ability - operating on the right-hand side and cutting in on his left foot.

Kayky has yet to make an appearance for the senior side and could be given an opportunity against Swindon on Friday night.

Liam Delap

The son of Rory, renowned for his long throws, Liam has something a tad more graceful than his father - a knack for scoring goals.

The departure of Ferran Torres was done so in the knowledge that they believed that they already had his replacement in the shape of Delap.

So Friday night would be the ideal time for the 18-year-old to be given a chance to strut his stuff and stamp a claim as the long-term answer to Guardiola's problems up front.

Romeo Lavia

At the age of 15, the Belgian caught the eye of Guardiola - who had been invited to an international youth tournament by Kevin de Bruyne, who organised the event.

A year later and he would leave Anderlecht for City where he signed a professional contract and went straight into the Under-23s after impressing.

Last year, Lavia was voted as the Premier League 2 player of the season and has been mentored by Fernandinho this campaign with a view of the 17-year-old eventually taking up his duties.

Swindon could be the best chance he has of making his debut and prove Guardiola right.

Cole Palmer

It appears that Palmer is on his way to becoming a star after scoring the winner against Chelsea in last year's FA Youth Cup final - the first time City had lifted the trophy in 12 years.

For Palmer, it was another day after dominating youth-level football for years with City and he looks set to transfer that to the seniors one day very soon.

And that day could be Friday if he is available, while the 18-year-old is renowned for his strength and poise on the ball as a forward or attacking midfielder and has already made an impact at City.

In October, Palmer scored a beauty in the Champions League after coming on off the bench against Club Brugge and he will be hoping for the same again should be named against Swindon.

Luke Mbete

Mbete is the exact kind of defender that Guardiola loves - brilliant on the ball, tall and commanding and left-footed - it has been a remarkable rise for the youngster in the last year.

In January 2021, the former Brentford trainee was named on the bench to face Chelsea in the Premier League and while he has not appeared in the competition yet, coaches have been wowed by his progress.

The 18-year-old has already made his debut in an assured display against Wycombe in the Carabao Cup in September and it would be a surprise to not see his name in the starting line-up on Friday night.