Enzo Maresca Press Conference: Matheus Nunes and Iliman Ndiaye Updates Ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion Clash

Antoine Semenyo remains absent for Manchester City with a knee injury.

The Citizens welcome Fabian Hurzeler’s side to the Etihad Stadium after beating them 4-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, where goals from Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis weren’t enough to advance in regulation time.

Admittedly, the Seagulls were much better on the night and perhaps deserved to have won the game, but Geronimo Rulli pulled off two crucial penalty saves against Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to help City advance.

Matehus Nunes and Iliman Ndiaye were both missing from the Manchester City matchday squad, alongside Antoine Semenyo, who was ruled out for up to eight weeks after the Ipswich Town game just under two weeks ago.

In addition, Maresca granted Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol three days’ rest, meaning they were also excluded from the midweek squad.

As a result of their victory, Manchester City were drawn against Bradford City in the quarter-finals, and will need to win that game at home if they are to succeed in their quest to win a 10th edition of the League Cup.

Other teams still in the competition include Liverpool, Bournemouth and Fleetwood Town, who beat Arsenal on penalties on the eve of Manchester City’s win, recording one of the greatest cup upsets the country has seen.

Speaking ahead of his side's second home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion, Maresca confirmed that with the exception of Semenyo, Manchester City have a fully fit squad for Saturday.

"They are all available. [Other than] Antoine Semenyo, they are all available," the Italian said.

Reinforcements in the squad will be wholeheartedly welcomed by Maresca, who was without stars across the pitch against Brighton after their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

Perhaps the most important reintroduction is Anderson, who has been Maresca's best player since joining the club for £116 million from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window.

Anderson is without injury and spent a few days away from the City Football Academy to recover as Maresca looks to emulate his unstoppable start to life as the new Manchester City manager.

The Etihad club went on an eight-game win streak at the beginning of the season before collapsing to disappointing, but ultimately deserved defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Villa.

Giving the all-clear to seven of the eight players who were missing on Wednesday would come as a huge relief to Maresca, who is looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend.

The Ghana international replaced Jeremy Doku in the 76th minute of City's win over Ipswich Town two weeks ago, but was seen limping off the pitch before it was revealed that he suffered a worrying knee injury.

However, despite the initial blow of being ruled out for eight weeks, Maresca reassured supporters that the Manchester City winger is in good spirits while recovering from his problem.

"He's good. He's in a good mood. He's inside the building [City's training ground], making recovery sessions and all the therapy that he needs. But again, it's too early," Maresca said on Friday.

Semenyo is expected to return for City's clash with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on December 8, but could be out longer than expected and come back against Chelsea that weekend.