Pep Guardiola press conference: Will Nico O’Reilly start FA Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United? | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a fitness update on Nico O’Reilly ahead of Saturday night’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United.

The Blues saw their winning run in all competitions come to an end at seven in midweek as moments of brilliance from Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson salvaged a 2-2 draw for Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points – albeit having played an extra game than City.

City have nine games left in the Premier League season to catch the Gunners and before their next league clash against West Ham, Pep Guardiola and co will face off against Newcastle United in the FA Cup and Real Madrid in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Who features on Manchester City’s injury list ahead of Newcastle United?

Josko Gvardiol remains out as he recovers from a tibial fracture on his right leg that the Croatia international suffered in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4.

Mateo Kovacic has returned to training after recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in November 2025 and could see a return to action by the end of March.

Manchester City were handed a major blow in their 1-0 win over Leeds United last week as Nico O’Reilly was hauled off with an ankle injury that saw the 20-year-old England international miss out against Nottingham Forest.

However, Erling Haaland returned to the starting XI for the Blues against Vitor Pereira’s side after missing the trip to Leeds – and saw a major penalty claim waved away by referee Darren England in the second-half against Forest.

What did Pep Guardiola say about Manchester City’s fitness for the FA Cup fifth round?

Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, Guardiola said that O’Reilly ‘feels better’ and that a call on the midfielder’s availability against Newcastle United will be taken later in the day.

“Yesterday (on Thursday) he felt better, we’ll see today,” the Manchester City manager said on O’Reilly’s fitness ahead of Newcastle United.

It remains to be seen whether O’Reilly will be risked at St. James’ Park as Guardiola and his coaching staff keep one eye on next week’s trip to Madrid for the opening leg of City’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Asked whether Rodri is having to alter his game as he gets more minutes in the locker following an injury-ravaged 18 months, Guardiola added: “Step by step, he’s getting better and better. Everybody knows it.”

How will Pep Guardiola select his starting XI against Newcastle United?

City are set to play Eddie Howe’s side for the fifth time this season, having come up against the Magpies twice in the Premier League already and beaten them over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final – having won three of their four meetings with the Magpies so far this term.

Guardiola will know the importance of shuffling his pack to keep morale high in the camp and give opportunities to fringe players, with second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford a near guarantee to start between the sticks.

The likes of Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Ruben Dias could be handed a timely rest at St. James’ Park ahead of next week’s monumental showdown against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Phil Foden has struggled for form in 2026 and could retain his spot in the starting XI in Tyneside, with Tijjani Reijnders, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Savinho also vying for a start in the north-east this weekend.