JESUS BLOW LEAVES CITY RELYING ON TEEN DELAP

GABRIEL JESUS is the latest Manchester City star struck down by injury, leaving teenager Liam Delap their only recognised striker. Brazil announced yesterday that Jesus is out of next month’s World Cup qualifiers after suffering a problem during Monday’s 3-1 win at Wolves. Guardiola’s injury problems have deepened, with the City boss claiming he has just 13 senior stars available for tomorrow’s Leicester game. Delap, 17, is in contention to make a Premier League debut after scoring on his professional bow during Thursday night’s 2-1 Carabao Cup third round victory over Bournemouth. City have been without Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Aleks Zinchenko and Nicolas Otamendi, while Ilkay Gundogan remains in self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus. Aymeric Laporte is back training but may not be risked tomorrow. John Stones and Fernandinho were also absent on Thursday night and it is unclear who Guardiola can call upon. ‘We have just 13 players available,’ Guardiola said. ‘But at this club, excuses don’t exist. We have to win. We need the academy, not just for the training sessions. ‘With the problems we have up front, of course Liam will stay with us.’ Young academy products Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Cole Palmer, Tommy Doyle and Felix Nmecha also have a chance of being named in the squad. Meanwhile, City are on the verge of signing young Rangers striker Adedire Mebude. Delap (left) trained with Guardiola’s squad during Project Restart and the club had planned to play him at Under 23 level this season, leaving a slot in their Under 18 team. That, coupled with Charlie McNeill’s departure for rivals Manchester United, has seen City move for 16-year-old Mebude, who is expected to sign for a fee in the region of £200,000. Man City v Leicester, tomorrow 4.30pm LIVE on Sky Sports from 4pm.