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    Soccer News: Guardiola prepares to play against Manchester City youth in the EFL Cup: “I have no alternative”

    Manchester City Academy players will have a chance to shine when reigning champions face Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup.

    The Premier League champions host third division Wycombe in the third round on Tuesday.

    City are headed for a draw after a frustrating goalless draw with Southampton, although they were lucky to get out of that game with a point after a controversial VAR decision to overturn a Saints penalty.

    Aymeric Laport, John Stones, Rodri and Oleksandr Zinchenko all missed the Southampton draw and Guardiola suggested that Ilkay Gundogan could also miss the draw against the Chairboys.

    Guardiola often used the early rounds of the competition to bloody younger players, with the likes of Liam Delap, Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis last season.

    The last two of that trio have now moved out on loan, though Guardiola said he will once again target City youth.

    “I have no alternative … we will play with some young players,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “We have John, Aymeric, Oleks, Rodri and I believe Gundogan, all injured. It’s a good opportunity for the Academy, that’s why I’m there. “

    It’s not just the injuries that Guardiola is wary of, as he also tries to rest his hands on the players who have been around for City so far.

    “Some players may be resting for the games that lie ahead,” said Guardiola, whose side will face title rivals Chelsea next weekend.

    “Ruben [Dias] played all minutes so far and Joao [Cancelo] they also played all the minutes, so I don’t think they will be able to play in this match ”.

    Tuesday’s game will be City’s first meeting with Wycombe since April 1999, with the Wanderers winning 2-1 at Maine Road on that occasion. On the same weekend, Guardiola was playing for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in the La Liga.

    City have not been knocked out of this competition by a non-Premier League side since September 2008 against Brighton and Hove Albion and even when using the academy, the record is unlikely to change.

    In fact, a League One or League Two team has never won an away match against the EFL Cup holders, while the last team outside the top flight to do so was Grimsby Town in 2001.

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