BURNLEY -- Pep Guardiola insists he will need every player in his squad as he embarks on a busy schedule in the Premier League.
The Manchester City manager left John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan out of his squad for the 2-1 win over Burnley on Saturday while David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne were named as substitutes.
With qualification for the Champions League knockout stages secured, Guardiola can now focus on the Premier League but City face seven matches in December, including matches against title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Spaniard said his squad was tested by tough trips to Crystal Palace and Burnley, which they both won, sandwiched by the crucial Champions League clash away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
"We suffer in these games and now we have to find a way to suffer less," Guardiola told a news conference. "It's so important for our confidence now to prepare our game.
"We have 22-23 players but when you play 14 players you don't have just 22-23 players [to choose from], you have 14.
"In this kind of league in November and December, over the next part of the season everyone has to be involved."
The busy fixture period begins with the visit of top-of-the-table Chelsea to the Etihad on Saturday and Guardiola will have seven days to prepare for the game since the opening week of the season.
But he has a slight concern over winger Raheem Sterling, who limped out of the victory at Turf Moor after 57 minutes after a strong challenge from Burnley defender Ben Mee.
Guardiola said: "I didn't speak with him. I didn't speak with the doctor because we were celebrating a lot in the dressing room. Hopefully it is just a kick."