Leyton Orientvs.Man City

Rodri (ACL), Jeremy Doku (knock), Ruben Dias (Adductor) and Nathan Ake (unspecified) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Oscar Bobb remains doubtful as he continues to build up his fitness following a six-month injury layoff.

Goalkeeper Ederson missed Man City's heavy 5-1 Premier League defeat at Arsenal last weekend due to a 'minor injury' according to Pep Guardiola. The Brazilian will be assessed ahead of kickoff on Saturday, but Stefan Ortega will likely start between the sticks, nonetheless.

With one eye on next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Guardiola is expected to rotate in a few positions, with new signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in contention to start in defence along with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Rico Lewis, the latter of whom could replace Matheus Nunes at right-back.

Teenage midfielder Nico O'Reilly scored his first senior goal and operated at left-back in City's 8-0 victory over Salford City in the third round, and he could take up the same role on Saturday if Guardiola decides to hand Josko Gvardiol a rest.

The Citizens bolstered their midfield on transfer deadline day with the £50m arrival of Nico Gonzalez from Porto. It remains to be seen whether he will be ready to make his debut this weekend, though, so Guardiola may hand James McAtee and Ilkay Gundogan starts in the middle of the pitch.

Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne could be recalled in the final third at the expense of either Phil Foden, Savinho or Omar Marmoush, while Divin Mubama - who scored his first City goal in the third-round win over Salford - could be called upon to lead the line if Erling Haaland is left out of the starting lineup.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis; Khusanov, Stones, O'Reilly; Gundogan, McAtee; Savinho, De Bruyne, Grealish; Mubama

Written by

Oliver Thomas