Manchester City loanees Tommy Doyle and James McAtee have learned they cannot play in the FA Cup semi final against their parent club.
The duo are on loan from City at Sheffield United in the Championship for this season.
Now the two sides will meet at Wembley for their FA Cup semi final in April, but Doyle and McAtee will not be involved due to domestic loan rules.
Speaking before the draw was made, Doyle said, per the Manchester Evening News: “If it happens, it happens. As long as the lads are there.
“We’ve been in this together so I don’t want to think about myself now. If it happens, I’ll still be there supporting the lads.”
Boss Paul Heckingbottom later explained: “Listen, they’re Manchester City players and we know they’re cup-tied. But for those two players I think I need to ask the question and see if we can somehow get them involved.
“I understand the situation, and they do too. When we watched the draw after the game, it was the one we didn’t want. Mainly for that reason.
“We all know how tough it is playing City at the best of times but for those boys, we wanted them involved in this one. Because they’ve been a big part of what we’ve done, in the league and the cup. It’s not the draw we wanted for those boys, and it’s not the one those boys wanted themselves.”
“Everyone knows the benefits of them playing [at Wembley]. It’s the reason they’ve been sent out on loan and I know [City] are really pleased with their progression.
“The boys are themselves, their families and their representatives. They’re pleased with what they’re doing and it would be an amazing part of that journey from them. To continue their education. However, it’s against their parent club. It has been done before; we’ve seen it happen before. We’ll ask the question and we’ll see what comes back.”
