Maresca to rotate for Carabao Cup tie against Brighton

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will make changes for Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, with five senior players given time off following last weekend's Premier League defeat.

Maresca confirmed that Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli will start against the Seagulls, making it his second appearance for the club. Five first-team regulars — Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Joško Gvardiol and captain Rúben Dias — were given three days off after the 2-1 loss at Aston Villa.

"After Villa, we gave five players three days off. Erling, Elliot, Gigio, Ruben and Josko. Go away on holiday. Three days off, go, come back. Full energy," Maresca told reporters.

On Rulli, Maresca was positive about the goalkeeper's contribution. "He's good. Before I arrived here, I had a conversation with him, he knows his role and that's important. Day by day he is helping a lot," the City boss said.

Wednesday's match is the first of two successive home fixtures against Brighton, with Fabian Hürzeler's side returning to the Etihad on Saturday for a Premier League meeting. Brighton have drawn praise for their form this season, and notably came from 2-0 down to beat Manchester United 3-2 in the Carabao Cup third round.

Maresca acknowledged the scale of the challenge. "First of all, they are doing very well so both games will be tough. They are very brave, aggressive and when they have the ball they attack with so many players. They create so many chances. We need to do the right things offensively and defensively."

City head into the tie top of the Premier League with 21 points from eight games, though they have lost their last match. The cup tie kicks off at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 28 October.