Guardiola may be forced to field youngsters against Hoffenheim
The Manchester City manager may have to call up a host of youngsters for the side's final Champions League group stage clash this week, as the injury toll rises at the Etihad.
Premier League champions City are suffering from an injury crisis, that could see a number of youngsters afforded a huge opportunity to impress, when the team host Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
Midfielder David Silva is the latest City star to be blighted by injury; he joins Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo on the growing casualties list.
Therefore manager Guardiola could have no choice but to call on academy prospects like Adrian Bernabe and Claudio Gomes this week, as he only has 15 fit senior players available for the midweek clash.
Both youngsters usually ply their trade in midfield and defensive midfielder respectively.
Given that Guardiola has also spoken highly of academy trio Eric Garcia (Defender), Luke Bolton (forward) and Felix Nmecha (Midfield) in recent weeks, it would not be a surprise if he selects them for first team duty against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
In particular, Bolton was one of the breakthrough talents of City's pre season tour to the United States.
It remains to be seen which starlets get the nod against Hoffenheim. But if there is one thing for sure; whichever ones are selected will look to give their all and follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden, who is now a fully fledged member of the first team squad.