Pep Guardiola fears that Manchester City are running the risk of trouble with the fitness of players ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at Newcastle United.

City have been contending with persistent injury problems at the start of the campaign and are set to rest a number of stars at St James’ Park.

Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne are injured, with Rodri suspended and both Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish making returns to the fold.

‘At the beginning of the season there are always six players who don’t play regularly and the Carabao Cup is perfect,’ Guardiola said.

Pep Guardiola (above) has voiced his concerns over Man City’s growing injury problems

Players such as Kevin De Bruyne (above), Bernardo Silva and John Stones are all injured

‘That’s when everyone is fit. But now it’s an exceptional situation, we have a lot of players injured or with a lot of minutes. They have to rest. Wolves, Leipzig and Arsenal are much more important.

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‘We’ll travel there to win the game but I have to consider a lot of effort in this period and they’re going to get injured again otherwise we’ll be in trouble.’

Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias will not start the third-round game, although Kalvin Phillips is set to be given an opportunity to impress in Rodri’s absence.

‘The problem is the lack of rest – mentally especially,’ Guardiola added. ‘This is the problem. Two or three weeks off between seasons, it’s nothing.

‘The problem is a lack of rest, year on year. The Champions League will be longer in future and it is what it is. I complain a little bit here and then forget it.

‘We are used to it. Previous seasons were the same. We have two more games because of the Club World Cup (in December) but the rest is the same.’