Manchester City welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night as Pep Guardiola's side launch the defence of their Carabao Cup crown.
The Catalan tactician will be looking for an impressive showing from his men following their drab goalless draw with Southampton at the weekend, a result which saw the City boss criticised for his team selection.
Guardiola - who has won four successive Carabao Cups - controversially dropped Ferran Torres in place of Raheem Sterling against the Saints and the England man struggled to impact proceedings.
Guardiola is expected to make a number of changes for the third round clash with Wycombe as he looks ahead to his side's game against Chelsea at the weekend, and there could be a few unfamiliar names on the teamsheet.
Alex Brotherton, the City Is Ours writer and presenter, spoke with Ross Jackson, our content editor, on the MEN Facebook Live stream to discuss City's clash with Wycombe and what opportunities it can offer for some of Guardiola's fringe players.
Jackson kickstarted the discussion by asking Brotherton whether Phil Foden's rapid rise to prominence can act as a blueprint for some of City's youngsters who may be afforded their chance against the League One outfit, and Brotherton believes City's left-back dilemma could be solved if a certain academy member takes their chance.
AB: "We are going to see some youth players tonight for sure and I think we are going to see more than we're perhaps used to in the Carabao Cup. It's the obvious competition to bring youth through but as we know Guardiola has often gone quite strong.
"In the last few years, this was the competition that Foden got a few starts in before he became a proper feature in the first team. With a growing injury list, this means we could see a young centre-back come into the side, Luke Mbete, from the EDS.
"What could be the most significant is the left-back, Josh Wilson-Esbrand. So, [Oleksandr] Zinchenko is injured and Joao Cancelo is going to get a rest, City don't have any other options. [Aymeric] Laporte would, but he's injured. Nathan Ake could, but he will likely start at centre-half.
"So, I reckon Wilson-Esbrand starts - he has been really promising for the U23s and if he plays well it could solve City's problem position going forward. Maybe we won't have to go and spend £50 million on another full-back."
Brotherton continued as he highlighted the talents of Cole Palmer and Liam Delap, before hinting that Guardiola could already have his next Jack Grealish in the ranks.
AB: "I think we will definitely see Cole Palmer; he is a very good, dynamic attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing - very versatile.
"I think we could see Liam Delap. He scored on his return from injury for the U23s, so he's obviously not lost his touch despite his injury. If Delap doesn't start, he will definitely come off the bench.
"Samuel Edozie - a winger who started the in the Community Shield and was very bright, very positive. A forward-thinking attacker. He's like Jack Grealish in a way, he doesn't pass for the sake of passing, he will take people on."
Do you think City's youngsters can play a part this season? Follow the City Is Ours team - Jake , Alex and Ross - on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
