Marc Guehi will not be allowed to play in the Carabao Cup final for Manchester City, GB News understands.
City manager Pep Guardiola said the club would seek permission for him to feature at Wembley on March 22 after they booked their final place by completing a 5-1 aggregate win over Newcastle in the semi-final on Wednesday night.
However, it is now understood that there will be no change in the rule by the EFL to enable Guehi to play.
Rule 6.4.2 applies to the Carabao Cup that allows a player to represent two different clubs in the same competition season under strict timing conditions.
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They must have signed before the end of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi, whichever is sooner.
As Guehi signed for Manchester City from Crystal Palace on January 19, six days after the first leg of the semi-final, he will remain illegible.
Antone Semenyo is able to play as he signed from Bournemouth earlier in January, before the semi-final first leg.
Max Alleyne, who featured in the competition on loan for Watford earlier in the season before being recalled by City, was also able to play.
Marc Guehi will not be allowed to play in the Carabao Cup final for Manchester City, GB News understands
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Manchester City signed Guehi for an initial fee of £20million amid a defensive injury crisis at the club.
The 25-year-old England international signed a five-and-a-half-year contract extending to the summer of 2031.
He has made two Premier League appearances since joining, establishing himself as a key player under Guardiola.
Both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias suffered season-ending injuries, forcing the former Premier League Champions to act in January.
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Marc Guehi will not be able to feature in the Carabao Cup final in March | GETTYGuardiola said on Wednesday regarding Guehi: "Why should he not play? Why not? He’s our player, we pay his salary, we hired him…
"We want to ask. I said to the club we have to ask definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final of the Carabao Cup in March when he has been here a long time…
"Of course we are going to ask because it’s pure logic. (But) to change the rule, no way. But we will try."
City will now meet Arsenal at Wembley on March 22 in a showdown between the Premier League's top two sides.
Omar Marmoush was in fine form as City's first-half pasting was enough to end any hope of a Newcastle comeback | REUTERSGuardiola said: "I do not take it for granted. I know how difficult it is. I don’t know how many semi-finals and finals we have played in the FA Cup but it’s really good, and in 10 years five Carabao Cup finals so it’s really good: top, top, top.”
Manchester City have now played at Wembley at least once every season since 2010-11.
Omar Marmoush proved the difference-maker for the hosts against Newcastle, netting twice in a devastating first-half display that effectively killed the tie.
Tijjani Reijnders completed the first-half demolition three minutes later, finishing coolly after Burn's tackle on Semenyo inadvertently played him through.
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