Manchester City are set to hand Kalvin Phillips a rare start tonight as they travel to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
Rodri's first red card of his City career means he will miss the third-round clash at St James Park, and two further games, and gives Phillips what could be his last chance under Pep Guardiola.
Mateo Kovacic is closing in on a return, along with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, so Matheus Nunes could partner Phillips. The versatile Rico Lewis could also step up or replace Kyle Walker at right-back.
Elsewhere, Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez could do with rests but there is no guarantee of that. Jack Grealish is pushing to be involved.
Predicted Man City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gomes; Nunes, Phillips; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland
Doubts: Kovacic
Injuries: Rodri, Bernardo, Stones, De Bruyne
Time and date: 8pm, Wednesday, 27 September, 2023
Venue: St James Park
