Manchester City will be without two key attacking options when they welcome Championship side Norwich City to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night in the Carabao Cup third round. Head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to reshuffle his side just days after a dramatic derby win.
Foden suspended, Doku sidelined
City go into the tie full of confidence following a hard-fought victory over Manchester United at the weekend, a match Erling Haaland settled with a second-half winner despite City playing more than 45 minutes with ten men.
Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for a reaction to a foul from Bruno Fernandes, and the England international will now serve his suspension against Norwich.
Maresca defended his midfielder in the aftermath of the derby, while acknowledging the officials’ decision was consistent with the letter of the law.
Speaking about the incident, the Italian said the red card was correct “because it is a reaction,” while pointing out that Fernandes’ role in the flashpoint had gone unpunished. Despite the numerical disadvantage, City held on to move level on points with leaders Arsenal.
Foden’s absence is compounded by fresh concerns over Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger continues to nurse a lower-leg problem that has kept him out of recent matchday squads.
He is expected to remain unavailable until at least the weekend, leaving Maresca short of natural width for the visit of the Canaries. With both wide attacking options unavailable, the head coach may be tempted to shuffle his forward line and hand opportunities to fringe players ahead of a congested autumn schedule.
Since replacing Pep Guardiola in the summer, Maresca has generally used cup fixtures to rotate his squad, and Thursday’s tie is likely to be no different, with several first-team regulars expected to be rested with a Premier League fixture to follow at the weekend.
Norwich also carrying injury concerns of their own
Norwich arrive at the Etihad on the back of a chastening 4-3 defeat by Middlesbrough, a result that ended a run of back-to-back wins and left the Canaries 12th in the Championship table after seven games. Philippe Clement’s side will also be without three players for the trip north.
Lucien Mahovo remains sidelined but is nearing a return, with Clement revealing that the midfielder could be back in full training soon.
Asked for an update, the Belgian boss said progress was continuing, adding that he expects Mahovo to be “back into the group training sessions” around the upcoming international window.
Norwich’s issues do not end there. Mirko Topic, who has been working his way back from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, is also targeting a return after the international break.
Ali Ahmed has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering his own ACL rupture earlier in the campaign.
The two sets of fitness problems mean both managers will be forced into changes from their strongest available line-ups. However, City’s growing strength in depth after their recent transfer business should soften the blow of Foden and Doku’s absences considerably more than Norwich’s threadbare options in defence and midfield.
Thursday’s meeting is a repeat of previous cup encounters between the sides, though City go into the game as overwhelming favourites given the gulf in resources between the Premier League champions-elect and their Championship opponents.
A place in the fourth round awaits the winners, with City eager to add another trophy pursuit to a season that already has them chasing domestic and continental honours under their new head coach.
