Pep Guardiola confirmed that Aleks Zinchenko will start for Manchester City in their televised FA Cup tie at Peterborough tomorrow night. The Ukraine captain was in tears at the weekend, along with fellow countryman Vitali Mykolenko of Everton, as players, staff and fans of the Toffees and the Blues put on a show of unity and support in the face of Russia's invasion of their country.
Neither player figured in the game at Goodison Park, but Zinchenko is a natural starter in the fifth round game against Championship relegation strugglers Posh. And Guardiola said he would definitely be in the XI. Asked if he would start, the City boss replied: “Yeah. I think it will be good for him to play and show the reason why he's here.”
Guardiola said there are no new injury concerns, with everyone in training despite there being a few “knocks” from the Everton game.
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But he said number two goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who normally steps up for domestic cup games, is still not fit after suffering a shoulder problem.
That raises the prospect of 36-year-old Scott Carson, the third choice, playing only his second game for the Blues.
“No, some knocks but today everyone trains,” he said and added, when questioned about Steffen: “Not yet, still in the gym. He had a problem with his shoulder which is difficult for goalkeepers. We will decide the goalkeeper tomorrow.”
Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus are also expected to return to the starting XI after returning to the squad at Goodison Park following injury.
Jesus appeared as a substitute but Grealish remained on the sidelines.
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