Guardiola expects tough challenge at Hammers
to have a clear effect on his form after Christmas.
Having Pipa back would allow Town to feel more comfortable in their once-customary 4-3-3 and let Corberan exchange a centre-back for an extra central midfielder - or an extra winger, if it meant Danel
Sinani could free up space on the right flank by turning his quasi-midfielder role into a more formal central position.
Until then, Town may need to find a way to make 3-4-3 work again without relying on set piece goals to make that happen.
MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola is not taking Carabao Cup progress for granted as the perennial champions prepare to travel to West Ham.
The Etihad Stadium side have won the competition in six of the past eight seasons, including the last four editions in succession.
Yesterday marked five years to the day since they were last eliminated from the competition, but Guardiola is expecting that remarkable record to be put to the test by David Moyes’ Hammers on tonight.
“It’s good,” the City boss said. “The League Cup is a tournament in this country and we have done quite well.
“We won it for the fourth time in a row and still we are there.
“We know which team we are going to face - West Ham away - so it is not an easy one.
“At the same time, we are going to prepare to try to win the game like we do any game in any competition.”
West Ham won 1-0 at Manchester United to set up this fourth-round tie against a City side that swatted aside League One outfit Wycombe 6-1 in September.
Guardiola heavily leant on youth in that fixture with the squad stretched but more senior options are available for the trip to the capital.
John Stones, Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riyad Mahrez are among those pushing to start on Wednesday.
Raheem Sterling missed the trip to Brighton with a back issue and there has yet to be an update on his condition.
Ferran Torres remains out with the foot injury he sustained on international duty with Spain earlier this month.