The only bad news emanating from Eddie Howe’s pre match press conference was that Harvey Barnes will be out for “months rather than weeks" after hobbling off at Bramall Lane.
On Barnes, Howe said “I think it is an injury to the lower part of his foot just below the two. I think it is quite a substantial injury. We’ve had it scanned and we are waiting on what’s next, whether there’s surgery or not.”
“I don’t think it was from a tackle it was just pushing off to run, very unlucky. I don’t want to get too technical because I’m not qualified to do so but very unlucky.”
With a congested fixture programme ahead, Howe indicated that he would be making changes to his line-up with Burnley visiting Tyneside on Saturday and PSG making their first visit to St James’ Park for their Champions League clash next Wednesday.
Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dubravka, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, and Lewis Hall are all under consideration for the starting line-up as Howe manages his squad.
Joelinton is reported to be back in training and Emil Krafth is continuing his rehab from what was a serious knee injury
Joe Willock remains sidelined.
Pep Guardiola has his own injury worries and has even joked that he may have to select himself such are his concerns over injuries and workload as City play the first of three consecutive away games starting tomorrow.
Rodri is suspended after his dismissal against Nott’m Forest, but Kelvin Phillips will start, while Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic are expected to return. John Stones, Bernardo Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne are all out through injury. Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and possibly Erling Haarland may be rested but that still allows Guardiola the option of calling up the likes of Stefan Ortega, Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis, Jeremy Doku, and world cup winner Julian Alvarez.
The referee is Chris Cavanagh. He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Matthew Wilkes, with Sam Allison the fourth official. There will be no VAR in operation as it isn't used in the Carabao Cup until the semi-final stage.
The tie will be decided on the night with penalties if the teams are level after 90 minutes