Though the Treble winners have made a perfect start to the season so far, winning every game to date in the Premier League, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, injuries have taken their toll.
Kevin De Bruyne is facing a lengthy spell out with a hamstring issue while John Stones has also been absent for several weeks with a hip complaint.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic have also been hit by knocks.
Addressing the media ahead of Wednesday’s tough League Cup third round trip to St James’ Park, the City boss said his selection would be made with one eye on the desire to progress through to the fourth round and the other on the key demands of three crucial tough away games at Wolves, RB Leipzig and Arsenal.
“Always when we won a few times in this competition, when you start the season, you maybe have 4, 5, 6 players who don’t play regularly and it’s perfect as it’s better than a training session,” Pep pointed out.
“But everyone was fit and we made a strong side because maybe seven or eight guys played regularly
“But now it’s an exceptional situation. We have a lot of players injured and a lot of players with a lot of minutes with the national teams and our team and you have to rest.
“Tomorrow is important but the Wolves, Leipzig and Arsenal games are much more important.
“That’s why you have to see and the guys who didn’t play much will play and the rest we will see what happens and try to make a good starting eleven.
“We will travel there to win the game, there is no doubt about that.
“But I have to take into consideration the amount of effort in this period, with a lot of minutes for many players,
“And we have to avoid more injuries again otherwise we’ll be in trouble.”
