Marc Guehi handed Manchester City blow ahead of Newcastle semi-final second-leg | OneFootball

Manchester City will be unable to call upon Marc Guehi for the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United this week.

The setback comes off the back of a strong of impressive opening performances for his new club, after Guehi completed a £20 million move from Crystal Palace and settled into life at the Etihad Stadium.

While Pep Guardiola had hoped to continue to integrate his new centre-back quickly amid ongoing defensive injuries, handing him a high-profile and big-match appearance in the cup, competition regulations have now ruled Guehi out.

Manchester City come into the second leg holding a strong position after securing a 0-2 victory at St James’ Park last month, but the absence of Marc Guehi removes an option at the back at a time when Guardiola’s resources remain stretched.

Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are still sidelined, although the Portuguese defender has returned to first-team training and is building his fitness, while John Stones’ long-term absence continues to shape Manchester City’s defensive planning.

But this week, and as per the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Guardiola will not be able select Marc Guehi against Newcastle on Wednesday following a time restriction that meant players had to be available for their second club before the first leg of the semi-final.

With the England international not joining City until after the 0-2 win at Newcastle last month, he is not eligible for the second leg, and should the club reach the Carabao Cup final, Guehi will also have to sit it out.

Elsewhere, Sverre Nypan – who was recalled from a season-long loan at Middlesbrough on transfer deadline day – will be eligible to play for Manchester City in the competition on the basis that he did not feature for his now-former club in the competition.

This season, regulations were amended to allow players to represent more than one club in the competition after a mid-season transfer, in a change that benefitted City in the first leg, enabling recent arrivals to feature despite moving clubs during the tournament.

Despite the disappointment, Guardiola will still be able to rely on other January reinforcements and recalled players as City attempt to finish the job at the Etihad Stadium. Antoine Semenyo, whose arrival earlier in the window has already had an impact, remains available, while Max Alleyne can again be called upon after his recall from Watford.

Looking ahead, Marc Guehi’s focus will shift towards a mammoth clash away to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and he is still expected to play a prominent role during the second half of the season.