Rico Lewis will miss two more games at the Club World Cup and that could see him lose ground in the race to be first-choice right-back.
Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes could benefit from FIFA's decision to extend Rico Lewis' ban at the Club World Cup
Matheus Nunes is set to get another chance to impress at right-back for Manchester City after Rico Lewis had his ban extended by FIFA.
Lewis was sent-off late in City's opening day win against Wydad AC, having caught Samuel Obeng on the chin as both players stretched for a tackle on the foul.
There was some debate over whether it was a red card offence and Pep Guardiola called it "unnecessary" after the game, referencing a red card Lewis received against Crystal Palace when he was dismissed for a challenge on Trevor Chalobah.
"[Rico's] leg was a little bit high, but he was on the grass," Guardiola said after the match on Wednesday. "Touches the ball with the speed that they go through, your leg has to be a little bit high and the other player down.
"It was not intentional and it was a red card versus Crystal Palace after the referee came and said it wasn't a red card. Rico never had intention to hurt anyone. A little bit unnecessary, the red card. The referee is the boss and had other intentions, VAR checked it and we have to accept the decision."
Lewis was handed an initial one-match ban by the governing body, and City appealed the decision. Not only was that appeal unsuccessful, but the 20-year-old is now suspended for the final group game against Juventus and the last-16 tie next week.
A FIFA statement said: "The FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanction on Manchester City's Rico Lewis who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA Club World Cup match against Wydad AC. Three-match suspension for breach under article 14 paragraph 1 e) of the FIFA disciplinary code."
Lewis' ban is likely to mean Nunes continues at right-back, with the £53million signing from Wolves filling in in that role, having failed to earn a spot in midfield under Guardiola.
With Kyle Walker set to leave the Etihad, Lewis and Nunes are in pole position to fight it out to start at right-back at the moment, although Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov can also be used in that role.
The Blues could also go into the transfer market to sign a long-term replacement for Walker, with reported interest in Newcastle United's Tino Livramento and Wesley of Flamengo.
But for now, Nunes, who played at right wing-back in the win against Al Ain, could continue in that role and get a headstart in the duel with Lewis to nail down that position this summer.
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