Enzo Maresca insists Gianluigi Donnarumma is not undroppable – but he will be the first name on the Manchester City team sheet this weekend.

The Italian goalkeeper’s form has come under scrutiny after a number of mistakes in the opening months of the season.

A superb performance from deputy Geronimo Rulli in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Brighton has increased the pressure on the former Paris St Germain stopper.

But City manager Maresca has expressed confidence in his number one and the 27-year-old will be back between the posts as the Seagulls return to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.

Maresca said: “I think it is one thing to say that in this moment it is Gigio plus 10, and another thing to say undroppable. They are two different things.

“There is no player that is undroppable but in this moment it is Gigio plus 10. In this moment I see it like this.”

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has said he is targeting revenge after his side were beaten on penalties by City on Wednesday.

Rulli made two saves in the shoot-out after City had twice battled back to draw 2-2 in a compelling cup tie.

Maresca shrugged off such talk but, even though the two sides are likely to be completely different after 16 changes between them in midweek, he is expecting another difficult test from the team currently third in the table.

“Again, this is going to be a tough game,” said Maresca, whose side are top going into the fixture. “No matter if they play in a different competition or with a different team, they always try to be front foot.

“They attack with many players, they score many goals, they create many chances.

“But we’re going to try to do our best and try to win the game. If it’s revenge or these kinds of things, it’s more about them, not about us.”

Hurzeler also claimed City were fortunate in the cup but Maresca was reluctant to get drawn into that debate.

Maresca said: “This is what he said. Every manager can say something different. It depends on what you see with your eyes.

“But I respect what he said. We try to prepare for the game knowing what they are going to do. We try to prepare for the game in the best way we can and continue if we can to win games.”

Maresca, who was speaking at a press conference, was also asked about Jack Grealish after the midfielder was dropped by Everton on Thursday following a breach of club discipline.

The 31-year-old is currently on loan with the Merseyside club after falling out of favour at City.

Maresca declined to give an opinion on whether Grealish could return to the top level but instead offered a brief endorsement of his character.

“I still think he’s a good guy, good boy, big heart. I still think that,” he said.