Pep Guardiola at risk of missing next fixture due to updated FA rule

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.