Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has name-checked several of his youngsters ahead of the Premier League restart tonight against Arsenal.
Guardiola has named Cole Palmer and Felix Nmecha, as well as 18-year-old defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis – who has already made his first team debut this season – as being among the pool of “five or six" young players now on standby.
Guardiola was asked if the hectic calendar might mean more chances for youngsters and replied: “Due to a lack of being tested - all the staff and players - because before it was 50 or 45, we called the academy players that live in Manchester or close to Manchester.
“We didn't want to call players who live in Spain and Holland to come here and be isolated so that is why we called these players.
“We started with Cole, Taylor, Felix Nmecha. We have players that have trained with us and they have trained incredibly well.
“We try to survive with the players we have in the first team but if we need them we have these five or six players - no more because we didn't have the opportunity to call on more players to do more tests."
Pressed on whether the crazy schedule, after three weeks of preparation might mean they get a chance, Guardiola said: “Yeah of course, less players, more games. They have to be ready.
“Young players want a stage, they are good players. They work hard and in that moment they have that opportunity."
