While six academy players made their Manchester City debuts this week, and another got his first senior goal, Liam Delap was conspicuous by his absence against Wycombe.
With City resting a number of key first team players for the Carabao Cup fixture, it would normally be a perfect opportunity to give prolific academy striker Delap a valuable run-out at the Etihad. After all, he is City's only natural striker in the squad this season.
Delap has been recovering from injury so far this season, and made his comeback with a 45 minute run-out in the Premier League 2 last week. Naturally, after running away with the Golden Boot last season, he marked his return with a goal.
However, fans were disappointed not to see Delap involved for the first team on Tuesday against Wycombe, with his name appearing on the teamsheet against Doncaster in the Papa John's Trophy on the same night instead.
It was still League One opposition, so a good learning experience for him, but Delap was to experience a nearly-empty Keepmoat Stadium rather than a 30,000-strong crowd at the Etihad.
Delap lasted an hour at Doncaster in a quiet performance as City were beaten 2-1 to leave qualification to the next round at risk with one game remaining.
It could just be part of Delap's recovery plan, to play 45 minutes followed by an hour as he steps up his fitness. With City's senior injury crisis mainly in defence, it was sensible to give Delap a proper run-out for the under-21s rather than a cameo for the seniors.
Alternatively, maybe a part of City's thinking was to keep Delap out of the spotlight given the excitement and clamour around him from supporters given his prolific record at youth level.
Wycombe would have been a perfect game to give him a fourth senior appearance, especially if he's needed later in the season in more important games. But the club seemingly decided to field him in the EFL Trophy instead, knowing others would get the post-match attention and he would be allowed to build his fitness up quietly.
That plan has been slightly disrupted by fresh reports this week that City rejected a bid of around £15m from Borussia Dortmund for Delap in the closing stages of the transfer window.
Whether there is any truth in those rumours or not remains to be seen, however it would show how highly City value their young striker if they're willing to reject a bid of almost double what they sold Jadon Sancho for.
Delap is clearly part of City's long-term plans - he signed a contract extension this summer until 2026 - and a snub in the Carabao Cup won't change that.
Maybe keeping the pressure off him as long as possible is the best path for his development at this moment. His time will come - probably starting for the U23s against Arsenal on Saturday.
