Manchester City are expected to keep hold of the clutch of youngsters that have been training with the first team squad rather than send them out on loan on deadline day.
Six academy players - Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tommy Doyle, Felix Nmecha, Adrian Bernabe, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap - have been training with Pep Guardiola in recent weeks and have been involved in Carabao Cup action, while Jayden Braaf is available again after an injury.
The return of senior players, the return to an 18-man matchday squad this season and the absence of another league cup fixture until Christmas may well limit the minutes for the group of emerging talent at the Etihad, and a number of them were involved with the Under-23s on Sunday as Enzo Maresca's side won 2-1 thanks to a last-minute Tommy Doyle penalty.
There are an army of clubs in the City Football Group and others with less formal partnerships that are considered valuable to learn experience on loan.
However the youngsters are not expected to move away on deadline day. There is extra time to complete domestic loans should a move to another division in Engilsh football be deemed the best option but at least the majority are expected to stay at the Etihad.
While Under-23s football is not a satisfactory level for Guardiola, the UEFA Youth League - with six upcoming matches before Christmas - is much more competitive; Amad Traore, who played twice against City in the competition last year for Atalanta, could seal a move to Premier League neighbours United in the January transfer window.
