Five players looking to impress Maresca ahead of City's hectic schedule

It is part and parcel of modern day football and will stretch Enzo Maresca's squad to its limits as they aim to start their Champions League campaign well, gain derby day bragging rights and advance in the Carabao Cup. To keep key players free from injury, Maresca will rotate his side and that shall provide opportunities for certain players to impress their new boss.

With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at five players who will be hoping they can prove a point to the new head coach before the three-week international break that starts on September 21.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

Deadline day threatened to see Ait-Nouri leave. Manchester United enquired about his availability, but chose not to pursue a deal because of City's insistence for an obligation to buy to be included in the loan. United became aware of the opportunity to sign Ait-Nouri after the 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace. During that match, Ait-Nouri was overlooked to come on in the latter stages as Kaden Braithwaite was handed a brief cameo instead.

That will have set alarm bells ringing for the former Wolves man. He will be hoping, if not against Porto tonight, at least when they take on Norwich next week, that he will be given an opportunity to play.

Nico O'Reilly's injury absence means there should be chances for Ait-Nouri. But if he is overlooked, it could be a long few months for him, before the transfer window reopens.

It hasn't been the ideal start for Nunes under his new boss. Niggling injuries have prevented him starting matches so far. In his absence, Abdukodir Khusanov has played at right-back over the past couple of games.

Nunes was one of Pep Guardiola's favourites towards the end of his tenure, but it feels like he is in a real battle to earn that spot again. While Maresca still figures out his best XI, Nunes will be hoping this week's fixtures will allow him the opportunity to play and impress the coach.

On his day, he can be City's best right-back. Currently, he is waiting patiently for a chance to impress. That moment could be just around the corner though.

Anyone who watched the pre-season friendly against Inter in Hong Kong, will have been blown away by McAidoo's performance. The 18-year-old was direct, confident and caused the opposition defence all kinds of problems.

It was such a shame then that he picked up an injury during that game. That scuppered his pre-season ambitions but Maresca has kept him in mind. He has had brief cameos in the last two Premier League games but will want more.

The Carabao Cup game against Norwich seems the perfect moment to give him a start. But even a longer cameo against Porto tonight would be huge for the teenager. City have high hopes for McAidoo and you feel with fixtures coming up thick and fast, this is his time to make a mark.

Recently, it feels like we are forever calling for Foden to one, be given an opportunity to impress and two, produce the consistent form needed to keep his spot. Having picked up two assists against Palace, Foden could feel unlucky to be dropped at the weekend.

After an exciting deadline day, Maresca was eager to use his new recruits. As always, the competition to start in City's attacking midfield is incredibly high. Rayan Cherki has had a brilliant start to the campaign, while Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye and Antoine Semenyo are all competing for those positions and Jeremy Doku will come back into the thinking when fully fit.

Foden has shown signs of being back to his old self, but he will be hoping during this hectic schedule that he can start regularly and show Maresca what he can offer.

This season is all about learning for Allan. He arrived in Manchester from Palmeiras last week, and this is his first taste of European football. There is an awful lot for the winger to get used to, not least his new surroundings.

However, there's a reason City are not planning to loan him out. Maresca clearly feels he can make a difference this season but breaking into that Blues attack right now is difficult.

Similarly to McAidoo and Ait-Nouri, that Norwich game should be a target for the Brazilian to earn a start. To do that, he needs to impress in training and, when any opportunity does arise before the international break, he has to grab it with both hands.