Man City: Pep Guardiola called for Carabao Cup rule change to allow Marc Guehi to play in Wembley final - but EFL will turn down request

The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Sky Sports News understands, despite appeals from Pep Guardiola.

City have set up a Wembley showdown with Arsenal for the trophy after thumping Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in their semi-final. However, new signing Guehi isn't eligible to play in the final as he was bought from Crystal Palace after the first leg of the semis.

Carabao Cup rules - implemented for the first time this season - state if a player is signed after the first leg of the semi-final that he is ineligible to play in the remainder of the competition.

Speaking after City had booked their place in the final, Guardiola said he could not "understand" the rule and that he hoped City would write to the EFL to appeal for his £20m defender to be available to face Arsenal on March 22. But any request is set to be rejected.

Guehi has previously featured in the competition for Crystal Palace this season, playing in each of their three ties, including the quarter-final defeat to Arsenal.