Tuesday 25 October 2016 17:41, UK
Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out of Manchester City's EFL Cup fourth-round derby away to Manchester United on Wednesday night with a leg injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the Belgium forward has picked up a knock as the City boss prepares to rotate his squad for the clash at Old Trafford, which is live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Pablo Zabaleta is almost certainly out too but Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and a number of youngsters such as Aleix Garcia and Pablo Maffeo, who both played in the third-round win over Swansea, are in contention.
Guardiola said: "Kevin cannot play. No way. He had a big knock in the leg. Hopefully he can play against West Brom, but I don't know.
"Pablo, I think, cannot play either. Vincent, I think he can. He will train and after we will see if he is fit. I need to see all the guys in training today. Then we will decide. Sergio is in contention.
"We are going to rotate. Some that haven't played are going to play, sure, firstly because they deserve it but also because there has been some tough games recently. People are tired.
"Pablo Maffeo and Aleix Garcia are with us and I am so happy about that. It's not easy when you are training with the first team but playing with the second team, but their attitude has been really good.
"We have to think about it. Normally the young players have to be involved when the team is in a good moment, but we haven't won for five games. To put four, five young players in at this moment is not a good idea. We have to protect them.
"But we will see. We might not have options, and I will have to put them in."
City were 2-1 winners in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford in September but Guardiola is expecting an equally tough match despite both sides being anticipated to make considerable changes.
He said: "A derby is a derby. It's always special. We are not going to play just a game. We are going to play seriously, like always, and try to win the game.
"I always expect the best from United, not because they lost at the weekend. The quality and the experience of Jose, and it being Manchester United, means a lot. They are always a good time."
