Manchester City vs Burton: Benjamin Mendy set to return from injury, says Pep Guardiola

Guardiola also revealed that Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne will play against Burton

Benjamin Mendy is set to return to Manchester City matchday squad on Wednesday night after recovering from his knee ligament injury.

Mendy has been sidelined since mid-November with the problem to his left knee but returned to first-team training last week after undergoing successful surgery.

Pep Guardiola, the City manager, also confirmed that Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne will be selected against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.

“[Mendy is] in the squad for tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “He will travel with us. Maybe on the bench.”

Mendy missed seven months of last season after injuring his right knee and, though City won the Premier League title without their £52million left back, he would have preferred to have him available.

“I would say with the results we have done last two years, we have not missed him too much but I would say we have missed him a lot.

“My feeling is he can give something extra. Hopefully, in the last part of the season and in the future we can use him.”

City’s passage to next month’s Wembley final is all but assured after a 9-0 victory at the Etihad in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Guardiola intended to call up academy players for Wednesday’s trip to Burton, but City failed to reschedule an Under-21s Checkatrade Trophy match against Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Nevertheless, Guardiola is expected to field the likes of 20-year-old goalkeeper Aro Muric and 18-year-old centre-back Eric Garcia, who both played in the first leg and the quarter-final against Leicester City.

“We are going to play Phil [Foden] and some [youngsters] will be on the bench. Two or three play and two or three on the bench. Kevin [De Bruyne] is going to play,” he said.