Manchester City fans are delighted with the prospect that Scott Carson could play at Leicester on Saturday after the Blues' plans for the game were thrown into chaos by the Brazilian FA.
City were planning for Ederson to take his usual place in goal, especially after the Blues blocked him from representing Brazil during the international break so as to avoid a ten-day quarantine on his return to the UK. With Brazil on the UK Government's red list, Premier League clubs took a collective stance to keep any players affected by a potential quarantine at their clubs.
However, a new report in the Times states that Brazil have hit back and have asked FIFA to invoke rules banning any clubs from using players for a five-day window. That would rule Ederson and Gabriel Jesus out of the trip to Leicester at the weekend, although they would be free to take on RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Neither player have left the country this week, but the report adds that picking the pair at Leicester could result in FIFA determining City to forfeit the match.
As a result, City could be forced to pick another goalkeeper, but usual deputy Zack Steffen is a doubt himself after testing positive for Covid-19 on international duty.
The US men's national team confirmed on Sunday Steffen had tested positive, and his return to City before the Leicester game is therefore in doubt.
That leaves third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson, a popular figure among fans and players. Carson has been the club's back-up for the past two seasons, finally making his debut at Newcastle last season after the Blues had sealed the Premier League title.
Carson conceded three goals in a 4-3 win, but did save a penalty. His possible involvement was met with delight by fans, who treat the veteran as a cult hero among the squad.
After picking Carson at Newcastle, Pep Guardiola said: "Maybe people don't know it but he's a real leader for us.
"He says straight away what he believes, he has a lot of experience, he has been in incredible locker rooms with big teams.
"He is an incredible person and we are delighted - not just me but Eddy (Ederson) and Zack (Steffen) and the players that today he could play."
Carson signed for City permanently this summer after two years on loan from Derby.
