De Bruyne to miss Manchester derby after weekend calf knock

The next installment of the Manchester derby will go on without arguably the most exciting player currently plying his trade in the city, as Pep Guardiola confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will miss Wednesday's EFL Cup clash against the Red Devils.

The Belgian playmaker, 25, picked up a knock to the calf in the weekend draw with Southampton, Guardiola told reporters during Tuesday's pre-match press conference. De Bruyne will thus watch from the sidelines as the Citizens look to reach the quarter-finals of the competition at the expense of their most hated rival.

"Kevin, no way, he cannot play," Guardiola said, before adding that the ailment isn't thought to be serious.

De Bruyne, the creative hub of Guardiola's sputtering side - City is winless in five matches in all competitions - has scored twice and set up four goals in the league this season, including a calm strike against United in the season's first edition of the Manchester derby in early September.

While his enforced absence will come as a blow for City - and a boon for United - there was better news surrounding the fitness of oft-injured captain Vincent Kompany.

The hulking defender, whose career's been derailed over the last year by recurring muscle problems, made his first start since April over the weekend, and is in contention to play at Old Trafford after avoiding any aggravation of his previous groin issue.

"Vincent I think he can (play) but I don’t know today," Guardiola said. "I need to see training and regeneration (before making a decision)."

Whether he has his captain at his disposal or not, the Spanish tactician admitted there will be some squad rotation for what he says will be another "special" encounter.

"We are going to rotate. Some are going to play. I need to see the players today in training and after we will decide the team."