Guardiola issues injury updates on Dias, Doku and Cherki | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has issued updates on the fitness of some key players ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United.

Rayan Cherki had to go off in the second half of the 2-2 draw against Tottenham, and asked whether the Frenchman was ok, Guardiola said: “He has a knock, we’ll see today.”

Ruben Dias has been out with a hamstring issue since the beginning of January, but Guardiola had a positive update on his health.

“Ruben started to train yesterday, and Jeremy (Doku) not yet.” Doku has a calf injury and is expected to be out for a few weeks yet.

City have an incredible record in the Carabao Cup under Guardiola, making the final four times in nine years under the Spaniard.

And Guardiola has emphasised the opportunity ahead of his side this week. City currently have a 2-0 lead on aggregate and will be confident of going through.

The Spanish manager said: “Tomorrow we have the chance to make our fifth final in 10 years in the Carabao Cup. Of course it’s a good result (in the first leg), I prefer to start 2-0 up but I know perfectly how many times we played against Newcastle and the pride they have as a Champions League team.

“We have to be prepared and see how the players recover from the tough game against Spurs and play our game for our people, our fans and try to reach Wembley in March.”

City have not only reached the final of this competition four times under Guardiola, they have won it four times.

But the City squad is full of new players who were not part of those victories, and Guardiola is keen for them to get the experience of playing in finals: “Starting to play finals is really good for all of them. It will be so important for the club and everyone.”