Enzo Maresca has a selection puzzle on his hands. City's manager must weigh the demand for Erling Haaland's goals against the need to protect a striker who has barely stopped since August.
The Norwegian will be in the squad for Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium. That much is clear. What comes next, though, is a matter of management rather than mere availability.
A schedule that takes its toll
Haaland has been a constant for club and country this season, and Maresca knows the workload will eventually catch up with him. The City boss told the club's official website that the striker is one of several players whose minutes need careful handling.
"At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off," Maresca said.
He named Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Marc Guéhi and Rúben Dias as others in the same boat, all of them regulars for both City and their national teams. The fixture list is unforgiving, and Maresca is already thinking about how to spread the load.
Haaland's numbers make the argument for him. Ten goals in nine appearances this season. A double in Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain took him past a significant milestone, making him City's record goalscorer in European competition.
Foden back in contention
Phil Foden is available again after serving a three-match domestic suspension. The England international was an unused substitute against PSG, but his domestic ban is now complete and he is pushing to return to the starting XI.
Maresca said Foden has trained well. A decision will be made over whether he starts against Ipswich, and the City boss even joked that he expects the midfielder to score on Saturday. He also expressed confidence that Foden will make an impact if selected.
City have won all six of their Premier League matches so far. The midweek loss in Europe was their first defeat in eight games, and Ipswich's visit offers an immediate chance to respond. Haaland will be part of the squad. The question is how much of him Maresca uses.