Maresca on Doku, VAR controversy and awaiting apology

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Carabao Cup third round game against Norwich City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 19:30 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Maresca confirmed winger Jeremy Doku "is quite close" to a return from injury, which they "are happy" about. On Erling Haaland's controversial goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday: "To talk about one moment after that game when we played for 70, 75 minutes with 10 players is quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable and I'm pleased. He said they are "still waiting for the apology" for a goal United scored against City in 2023 when Marcus Rashford was adjudged to have not been interfering with play: "Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you. Three years ago when I was here happened the exact same against Manchester United. The goal was not a regular goal and no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that." On Phil Foden's red card in the derby: "At half-time he was upset and sad because he knew it was something wrong. After the game he was a bit more relieved and happy. Yesterday he was very good. He knows that the reaction was probably not a good one but it is finished and we move on." On the resulting suspension, he added: "It's a big one [blow]. He was doing well with us. He started quite well [before his red card]. Now he is out tomorrow [against Norwich] and for Sunderland and Liverpool . Then he is back again." Maresca is also not sure if they will appeal Foden's red card. On possible changes to his line-up: "The ones that are going to play, I'm sure that they are going to play important games, in the Premier League or Champions League. Now it's early season with no injuries or suspended players. In November, December, January and February, with the amount of games, we will need rest. The players that are going to play tomorrow, it's an opportunity for them to get better and better. At some point we need them." On the importance of the League Cup to them: "One more competition. We need to compete in all of the competitions. We will try our best and we will see where we finish." After saying in the past he prefers to play Premier League teams in the cup competitions, he was asked if he still thinks this way: "Absolutely. They are all tricky games, different games. We need to do our job in the right way and I have no doubt it will be a tricky game for many reasons." Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:30 BST on Thursday Got a question about Man City? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts [BBC]