With the news this week that FIFA have punished Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, for refusing to release sSouth American players for World Cup qualifying, Pep Guardiola has been forced to contemplate a matchday without Gabriel Jesus and Ederson.

While, at the moment, it is up in the air on whether or not Premier League clubs could defy FIFA and play their South American stars anyways, Guardiola would still have had to consider his options at goalkeeper in case he is without his, and Brazil's, number one.

And while Manchester City's regular number two choice Zack Steffen has greatly impressed in his limited opportunities, the Blues will also be without the American international due to a positive Covid test. 

"He's (Steffen) in USA. Isolated because of the positive. After ten days and two PCRs will be made he will be back," Guardiola said in his press conference ahead of City's trip to Leicester on Saturday. 

After Steffen, Manchester City could be forced to put 36-year-old Scott Carson in net. 

At the tail end of last season, Carson made his first Premier League appearance in a decade in a 4-3 victory at Newcastle United, and could be set to make his second appearance in a key match at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Despite that, Pep Guardiola says the squad has full faith in keeper.

"About when we'll know is a good question. About the squad, he's in our squad because he's able to play, fully confident (in Carson)," said the City manager.

There is still a chance that Ederson could feature, however, if he doesn't, we could be in for some great entertainment in the form of one of the squad's most beloved figures. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Fury-Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back
20-year MLB veteran working out, unsure about playing future
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter

Want more City news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.