PEP'S NOT KIDDING OVER CITY INJURY LIST

PEP GUARDIOLA is ready to give youth a chance tonight as Manchester City aim to reach the Carabao Cup semifinals.

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

The Catalan boss wants to rest some big names - ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham - and put his faith in City's academy players against Brentford.

Guardiola won the competition four times in a row between 2018 and 2021, but is not sure he has the squad to go all the way this time with six players missing this week.

Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush have headed off to their national teams for Africa Cup of Nations duty, while winger Jeremy Doku (right) will miss two or three weeks with a muscle injury.