Pep Guardiola was never going to reveal his true 'Plan B' for coping without Rodri when Manchester City took on Watford in the Carabao Cup - but there was the potential for some players to rule themselves out of contention for the role.
With two games in three days, rotation and preservation was the name of the game for Guardiola when selecting his team. That's why he named two academy players in his starting line up including a 16-year-old who hadn't played above under-19 level.
For others, though, this was an ideal chance to put themselves back in Guardiola's thinking after slipping down the pecking order.
Take James McAtee, for example - hopeful of more games this term after staying put, but so far mostly playing a watching role.
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