Manchester City have rotated for tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich, but they are still missing Jeremy Doku, despite Enzo Maresca saying that the winger was close to a return.

“He is very close,” the Man City boss told reporters.

While City are the holders of the trophy, it will be considered the competition with the lowest priority by boss Maresca, who has made a great start to life at the Etihad Stadium.

With that in mind, Maresca, who made eight changes at this stage of last season’s competition when at Chelsea, has given some non-regulars game-time in the third-round tie.

He is without Phil Foden, whose three-match suspension begins following his red card in Sunday’s derby win over rivals United.

Summer signing Geronimo Rulli, an Argentine international who joined from Marseille, makes his debut in goal.

In defence, Vitor Reis makes his first start of the season, with Rico Lewis also coming in at right-back.

Teenage summer recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi starts in midfield, alongside Mateo Kovacic, while Brazilian winger Allan makes his debut.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is on the left flank, with Rayan Cherki as the No10. Floyd Samba, the youngster, leads the line.

Rulli; O’Reilly, Reis, Khusanov, Lewis; Kovacic, Bouaddi; Allan, Cherki, Ait-Nouri; Samba

Time and date: 7.30pm BST on Thursday, September 17, 2026

How to watch: Sky Sports