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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Man City confirm 22-man squad for Sporting trip with six youngsters but new injury concern

Manchester City have confirmed another injury concern as Zack Steffen was not named in the 22-man travelling squad to take on Sporting in the Champions League in the last-16 first leg.

City already knew they would be without the suspended Kyle Walker, as well as injured trio Jack Grealish, Gabriel Jesus and Cole Palmer.

Now, there is also no place for back-up goalkeeper Steffen in the squad after he also missed the Premier League trip to Norwich at the weekend. Instead, City have called up under-23 goalkeeper Cieran Slicker to support Ederson and Scott Carson.

Also included are five more youngsters as Liam Delap, Kayky and James McAtee are included after all coming off the bench in the Premier League at the weekend. Romeo Lavia and Luke Mbete travel too, as City look to the academy for squad cover with the four senior absentees, plus Palmer.

Delap is given his first Champions League call-up, and City will have to add him to their 'B List' squad on Monday in order for him to play, but that should not pose any issues. Kayky was added to the main list as he doesn't qualify for the B List, with Lavia another in the main squad just in case he is needed.

Speaking about Grealish and Jesus in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: "He's better [Grealish] but tomorrow isn't available alongside Cole Palmer and Gabriel."

City must also be aware that Joao Cancelo and Kevin De Bruyne are only one yellow card away from suspension, and would miss the second leg if booked on Tuesday. That could provide a problem at right-back, with Kyle Walker currently suspended for three Champions League games after his sending off at Leipzig - although the second and third games of that are subject to appeal.

Full Man City travelling squad to Sporting: Ederson, Carson, Slicker; Dias, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Mbete, Zinchenko, Cancelo, Fernandinho, Rodri, Lavia, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, McAtee, Sterling, Mahrez, Kayky, Delap

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