Oscar Bobb will make his full City debut as one of eight changes from the side that started against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovacic, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Sergio Gomez and Jack Grealish all return to the starting XI as well.

Only Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez retain their places as Pep Guardiola rings the changes against the Magpies.

Academy graduate Micah Hamilton is among a strong subs’ bench.

Only Nick Pope remains from the Newcastle side that beat Sheffield United 8-0 on Sunday as Eddie Howe makes 10 changes.

WHO IS MICAH HAMILTON?

Teams

CITY XI: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Akanji, Gvardiol, Ake (c), Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Bobb, Grealish, Alvarez

Subs: Ederson, Carson, Walker, Dias, Haaland, Doku, Nunes, Foden, Hamilton

NEWCASTLE XI: Pope, Livramento, Lascelles (c), Dummett, Targett, Hall, L Miley, Tonali, Murphy, Joelinton, Isak

TACTICS

Expect Lewis and Gvardiol to play full-backs in a 4-3-3 formation this evening.

Akanj and Ake will be in central defence with Phillips in the defensive anchor role.

Kovacic and Gomez are likely to complete the midfield trio, with Bobb and Grealish on the wings and Alvarez the central attacker.

PHILLIPS’ CHANCE TO SHINE

Kalvin Phillips knows he has the chance to stake a claim for more first team minutes in the coming weeks.

With Rodrigo suspended for three games, the England midfielder is likely to be given the opportunity to take on defensive midfield duties in his absence.

Nobody doubts Phillips’ quality. but his specialised position and Rodrigo‘s consistency means chances to play that role have been few and far between,

Against a potent Newcastle United, Phillips will be tested from start to finish in front of a buoyant St James’ Park crowd.

If he passes with flying colours this evening, it could really kick-start his career as a City player.

STATS & FACTS

  • Newcastle have lost three of their four League Cup ties against City, though they did win the most recent one 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in 2014-15 (fourth round).
  • City have lost just one of our last 17 meetings with Newcastle in all competitions (W13 D3), and are unbeaten in 10 (W8 D2) since a 2-1 loss in January 2019.
  • Newcastle have won their last three League Cup home games, last winning four in a row at St James’ Park between September 2000 and November 2001.
  • City have only lost three of their 30 League Cup games under Pep Guardiola (W22 D5), against Manchester United in 2016-17 and 2019-20, and against Southampton last season.
  • Newcastle come into the game on the back of a record 8-0 away win at Sheffield United.
  • City have won eight games in a row in all competitions and including a penalty shoot-out win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.