Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is at risk of missing an upcoming domestic fixture due to a change of the 2023/24 rules.
The 53-year-old is looking to guide Manchester City to a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title, and is also pursuing retaining both the UEFA Champions League and Emirates FA Cup, after last season’s treble success.
Guardiola has won 16 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium, including lifting both the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during the opening months of the current campaign.
Manchester City however trail Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title, with the Sky Blues currently five points adrift of the Merseyside club and facing fierce additional competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham.
The Blues return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening, facing Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne could make his first league start since August against the Clarets, meanwhile Erling Haaland could be set for a return after missing Manchester City’s previous 10 matches due to a foot injury.
The Norwegian striker hasn’t featured since a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in December, and was unavailable for Friday’s late FA Cup fourth round win over Tottenham in north London.
John Stones and Manuel Akanji are also nearing a return to full fitness, with the complete first-team squad training ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Burnley.
Despite a number of key fitness boosts, Guardiola is at risk of missing an upcoming Manchester City fixture himself, as the Catalan is just one yellow card away from another touchline ban.
The 53-year was issued with a yellow card by Paul Tierney on Friday evening, with Simon Bajkowksi reporting that Guardiola is now one caution away from a suspension, having had five yellow cards already this season.
Guardiola was absent from the dugout for Manchester City’s defeat to Wolves in September as a result of a touchline ban, after the Premier League and FA announced that managers would be handed a ban after receiving three cautions this season.
Manchester City are scheduled to play six domestic fixtures in February, with matches against Brentford, Everton, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Luton.