Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki is facing a late fitness assessment ahead of the crucial Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United, casting doubt over his availability for the decisive encounter.
Injury Concern for Key Attacker
The summer signing suffered a knock during Sunday's dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw against Tottenham Hotspur, leaving manager Pep Guardiola uncertain about his participation in Wednesday's cup fixture. Cherki has been in impressive form recently, scoring in City's 2-0 first-leg victory over Newcastle and finding the net in each of their last two competitive matches.
"He had a knock and we will see today how he feels," revealed Guardiola during his pre-match press conference. "We will make a decision based on his response to treatment and training."
Additional Squad Absences
City's selection concerns extend beyond Cherki, with several other players unavailable for the semi-final clash. Defender Marc Guehi is ineligible to feature, while experienced centre-back Ruben Dias and explosive winger Jeremy Doku remain sidelined through injury.
Guardiola provided specific updates on their rehabilitation progress: "Ruben started to train yesterday and Jeremy not yet." The manager further hinted that Doku's recovery timeline might extend beyond this fixture, suggesting the Belgian international "will not be fit for Sunday's game against Liverpool" in the Premier League.
Guardiola's Well Wishes for Phillips
During his media briefing, Guardiola took time to express support for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has recently joined Sheffield United on loan. The England international has endured a challenging period since his £42.5 million transfer from Leeds United in 2021, making just three Premier League appearances for City since 2023.
"He has to play, he has made some loans, and how he is as a guy everyone is desperate for him to come back and play minutes and be at his best, because he deserves it," said Guardiola with evident sympathy. "Most of the time he had setbacks through injuries. He had long injuries with shoulder, knees, hamstring. He struggled with that."
Carabao Cup Ambitions
Guardiola emphasized the importance of Wednesday's match as City pursue their fifth League Cup triumph under his management. The Catalan tactician has already guided the club to four Carabao Cup victories during his tenure, establishing a formidable record in the competition.
"This is the point of today and tomorrow," Guardiola stated regarding the semi-final preparation. "We have a chance to make our fifth final in ten years in the Carabao Cup. It's a competition we respect deeply and have enjoyed success in previously."
With City holding a 2-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg at St James' Park, they enter the return fixture as strong favourites to progress to Wembley. However, Guardiola warned against complacency, noting Newcastle's quality and the unpredictable nature of cup football.
