EFL Cup PREVIEW 17 Sep 2026: Ten-man derby fallout leaves Foden out as City defend the cup against Norwich

Manchester City begin the defence of the Carabao Cup they won last season by hosting Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, three days after finishing the Manchester derby with ten men. Phil Foden was sent off in the first half of Sunday's 1-0 win at Old Trafford and has been given a three-match ban that rules him out against Norwich, the following Premier League game against Sunderland, and the trip to Liverpool after the international break.

Enzo Maresca had better news on Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly before the derby: O'Reilly was passed fit from a back issue, though Doku, out with a calf injury since the Community Shield, still needs more time before he is available for selection.

Norwich arrive at the Etihad having beaten Milton Keynes Dons and Cardiff City away from home to reach the third round. Their manager Philippe Clement will want to build on a mixed week domestically: a 2-1 win over Birmingham City at Carrow Road, in which he pointed to an improvement at the back, saying "we won 63 per cent of the heading duels in this game," followed by a 4-3 defeat away at Middlesbrough. Clement also gave a positive fitness update on defender Lucien Mahovo this week, saying he expects him back in group training during the international window if his recovery continues on course.