Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that he only has "four or five" senior players available for Thursday's EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League champions overcame Girona 2-0 in a friendly over the weekend thanks to goals from Erling Braut Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom should take to the field from the off this week.
However, a hefty chunk of Man City's World Cup crop have not yet returned to training, with Julian Alvarez sure to be absent as he celebrates Argentina's triumph in Qatar, but Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte might be in contention after going out in the last 16.
Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva all went out in the quarter-finals, meanwhile, and Guardiola will expect to be working without all nine here.
Stefan Ortega can still provide a safe pair of hands in goal, with 18-year-old Jadel Katongo and 19-year-old Shea Charles set for a baptism of fire in the heart of the backline.
Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez will also provide a youthful presence in the full-back positions, while a recognisable midfield should include Cole Palmer and Ilkay Gundogan next to De Bruyne.
Haaland can also expect to be joined by a familiar face in Riyad Mahrez, while Portuguese protege Carlos Borges could be rewarded with a start after coming up with an eye-catching 16 goals and 11 assists in 18 games at youth level this season.
Man City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Katongo, Charles, S. Gomez; Palmer, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Borges
> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this match
Ben Knapton
