Kevin de Bruyne will not get a rest over the hectic Christmas period, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
De Bruyne, City's most influential player, has played the full 90 minutes in seven consecutive Premier League games, but Guardiola claimed he cannot afford to rest him.
Asked if De Bruyne would get a break, with City playing six games in three weeks, Guardiola said: “No, right now, no.
“He's so important for us and now he's not going to rest.
“He rested in the Champions League, he rested in other games
“The previous week he just played the Premier League games, and right now we need him.”
Asked if Sergio Aguero - who came on for the final 15 minutes of City's 1-1 draw with West Brom in midweek – will be fit to start at Southampton tomorrow, Guardiola was doubtful.
“I don’t know,” said Guardiola. “After the game he could not train.
"Yesterday, no training, today he trained really well, but I don't know how many minutes he can play.
“It’s important he makes training sessions, but after the game he could not. It wasn’t the knee, it was another area.”
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