Daniel Farke has given an update on his squad ahead of Tuesday`s trip to face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
City will face Arsenal just over 48 hours after their away victory against Ipswich but the Gunners are in the same position, having beaten Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
Christoph Zimmermann is a doubt, having had to be replaced by Grant Hanley for the last half hour at Portman Road. Farke says it was a bang to the knee and it has settled down overnight. He`ll face a late fitness test.
If he doesn`t make it, there are options with both Marcel Franke and Russell Martin, who played for the U23s on Saturday, both available. Grant Hanley is cup tied.
Another one for a late decision will be Nelson Oliveira, who is beset by injury problems that are described by Farke as “complicated.”
This is what he had to say about Nelson to Canaries.co.uk
“He feels much better,” Farke said. “We have to take short term decisions with him at the moment and it will be late decision. He will travel and have a short training session today and in the morning. He looked really sharp last week and I hope he is available for us.
“The old problems with his groin are done. He still feels some pain from his stomach and back and it goes into his groin and we can`t find the reason why. He has also been seeing the dentist after problems with his teeth. It`s pretty complicated but there may be a solution. Perhaps his body has to adapt. It`s not easy for him or the whole group and it kills him in the head a little bit because he knows he is in good shape. Hopefully it improves.”
Meanwhile, both Josh Murphy and Marco Stiepermann have been suffering from a little tonsillitis but Farke is hopeful they can make it.
Speaking about the game itself, Farke acknowledges his men face a huge task to continue in the competition. He says a lot of his men will have to play again and that, due to the time shortage, they will have to speak in theory about the game and put their plans into practice without training with them.
After beating Ipswich, this Cup game is something of a side show, although City will take around 9,000 fans with them to the Emirates. If you`re going, have a great time.
OTBC