BLUES KID’S AIM TO PHIL HIS BOOTS

PHIL FODEN will push his claim for a regular run of games for Manchester City in tonight’s clash. Midfielder Foden, recognised as one of England’s most exciting young talents, has been restricted to few outings for Pep Guardiola’s side this season. Foden scored his first goal for City in a 3-0 win at Oxford in the previous round, and was voted man of the match, ahead of the likes of David Silva. But he has played just 46 minutes in the Premier League over four cameo appearances this season and will use the tie as another platform to impress the City boss. Guardiola has already told Gareth Southgate that Foden is ready to play for England, but the 18-year-old Under-17 World Cup winner is unlikely to feature for the national team until he gets a regular run for City.

Unlike former team-mate Jadon Sancho, who left last summer for Borussia Dortmund, where he is now a regular and has since earned an England callup, Foden has no desire to leave his boyhood club.

There may be interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, including Juventus, but Foden is said to be prepared to continue his development under Guardiola. City have won three of the last five League Cups. Defender John Stones said: “Fulham are finding it difficult but we’ll approach it as any other big game. It’s one we definitely want to win.”