Manchester City will be forced to use players from their B team in the Carabao Cup this month.
The Citizens' head coach Pep Guardiola has spoken about fixture congestion this term.
Last season's treble winners take on Newcastle on Wednesday September 27th, part of a spell that will see City play four games in 11 days.
"It is a problem when you have a lot of injuries," he told reporters.
"The problem is not today, it's in three, four, five games. We have the Carabao Cup away at Newcastle, I'm sorry but we will have to use (from) the second team some players.
"Kevin (De Bruyne) is still out, John (Stones) is still out, Mateo (Kovacic). Jack (Grealish). When you have all the squad you go to Newcastle with a good team and whatever. Right now, it is just to rest, to recover well, training (to get) fit and to arrive on the day of the game in the best condition possible.
"We cannot waste energy because otherwise, these guys who have been playing for the national team, traveling from Bolivia (Julian Alvarez), from Brazil (Ederson) - it's so exhausting for them.
"Look at Alvarez from West Ham, 15 or 20 minutes after half-time, he's out. Why? He's come from South America, he's jetlagged - 12, 15 hours, he's come here, played against City. We treat the players in not a good way. We are so responsible for how we treat the players."
