Enzo Maresca admits City will need to manage the Erling Haaland workload as the Premier League leaders prepare to face Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Haaland will be in the squad at the Etihad Stadium, but has already played extensively for club and country this season. Maresca believes the striker and several of his team-mates will eventually need opportunities to rest during City’s demanding schedule.
Phil Foden, meanwhile, is available again after completing his three-match domestic suspension and is pushing to return to the starting XI.
Maresca discusses Haaland workload
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca told the official Manchester City website that Haaland is one of several players whose minutes must be managed.
“At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off.”
Maresca said the same applies to Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Marc Guéhi and Rúben Dias, who have also been playing regularly for both City and their countries.
Haaland has scored 10 goals in nine appearances this season and became City’s record goalscorer in European competition with his double in Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Foden was an unused substitute against PSG after being available for the European fixture, but his domestic suspension has now been served.
Maresca said the England international has trained well and that a decision will be made over whether he starts against Ipswich. The City boss also jokingly predicted Foden would score on Saturday before expressing confidence that he will make an impact if selected.
City have won their opening six Premier League matches and can respond immediately to their first defeat in eight games when Ipswich visit the Etihad.
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