Manchester City is reportedly waiting to find out whether it'll be able to call upon a senior right-back when it visits Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Pablo Zabaleta is yet to play this season after being an unused substitute in City's first two games and then sustaining a knee injury - the first significant spell in the treatment room of his career - which should see him out for a month.
In the fan favourite's absence, Bacary Sagna has stepped up to the plate. He's been part of an unchanged backline that's tallied four clean sheets in its first four outings of the season, and recorded a fine assist his last time out.
The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes of France's 1-0 friendly defeat of Portugal last Friday, but he developed a problem with his ankle in Monday's 2-1 win over Serbia (in which he assisted the first goal), and was substituted at half-time.
Sagna's availability for the trip to South-east London is now in doubt, according to ESPN FC's Richard Jolly, leaving manager Manuel Pellegrini short on the right-hand side of his defense.
The next natural choice in that position is 18-year-old Pablo Maffeo, who's highly regarded by Elite Development Squad boss Patrick Vieira, but is yet to make his bow for the first team. It could be a tough introduction to Premier League football for the Spaniard if he's tasked with keeping Bakary Sako or Wilfried Zaha quiet.
If Maffeo doesn't get the nod Saturday, it could be an unorthodox debut for £31.5-million centre-back Nicolas Otamendi.
City will be chasing its fifth win of the season at Selhurst Park this weekend, but is visiting a side who entered the international break high on an away win at Chelsea.
