Manchester City centre-back John Stones has defended manager Pep Guardiola's rotation policy, insisting he doesn't think it is "physically possible" for a player to play every game.
City were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in October by West Ham United, though they're still in with a chance of completing a brilliant treble this season.
Competing for the Premier League title, their maiden Champions League crown and the FA Cup, City are fighting on three separate fronts, highlighting the importance of Guardiola having a large squad of talented players available to him.
The fact that City are still competing in two cup competitions alongside the league means that everyone will continue to get regular minutes, with Guardiola renowned for tinkering with his starting XI.
Although Stones has not played as much as he would have liked this season, certainly in the Premier League where he has made just eight appearances, he believes it is impossible for everyone to play every minute of every game, pointing to the demands on the squad.
"I'm enjoying it more than ever," Stones told Sky Sports. "Everyone wants to play every game, but with our schedule and number of games in a season, I don't think it is physically possible.
"Would I like to play more? Of course. Every player in our dressing room would say the same. I'm always there fighting to play every game and be fit and ready when called upon.
"I had some little injuries and some other stuff I've had going on, but I've been ready and there for the team. Like last season, when I've come in, I've enjoyed every minute of it and that is how our team works sometimes.
"Everyone is rotated and the manager uses us in whatever way he thinks we can win that game."
Although Stones often has Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte ahead of him in the pecking order for a starting berth at centre-back, the England international has admitted that everyone feels a sense of belonging under Guardiola.
He added: "I've been with the manager and a lot of the boys for all of my time at City and we have a great understanding between each other - players and staff.
"We all know how much we are valued here and what we can bring to the team when we are playing and when we are not playing.
"It's definitely a collective thing, the manager always reiterates that everyone is going to play and have a massive role, that is what it takes to win big titles and keep reproducing that year in, year out."
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