Enzo Maresca reveals the five Man City stars he has sent on holiday this week

Maresca has given Haaland, Anderson, Gvardiol, Donnarumma and Dias three days off ahead of Brighton's Carabao Cup visit, with backup keeper Rulli starting.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has sent five of his key players on holiday this week to manage their workload ahead of back-to-back games against Brighton. Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Josko Gvardiol, Gianluigi Donnarumma and captain Ruben Dias have been given three days off to recharge before the Carabao Cup last-16 tie on Wednesday evening and the Premier League match on Saturday afternoon.

Maresca confirmed that backup goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli will start in the cup game, with the manager planning to make changes to rest his regulars. Despite the rotation, Maresca warned that Brighton are a formidable opponent, sitting third in the Premier League and having beaten Manchester United in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.

Maresca also praised centre-back Marc Guehi's response to recent mistakes, saying he is "completely happy" with how the defender has reacted in training following errors against Aston Villa and other recent matches.