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Everton take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday - but will have to play without their newest star, Jack Grealish. The Toffees signed Grealish, 30, on a season-long loan from City in August, hoping to revitalise his career after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola.

Less than two months in and the ex-Aston Villa captain has done exactly that. Across eight league appearances, Grealish has scored one and laid on four assists, the latter being the most in the top flight.

The 39-cap England international has also created the second-most amount of chances behind Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. But Grealish won't be allowed to boost his stats at the Etihad Stadium - his former home.

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That's because the Premier League have long prevented players from facing their parent clubs, meaning that Grealish is ineligible for both Saturday's game and the return fixture on Merseyside in May. The Premier League handbook states: "During the period of the temporary transfer... a player shall not play against the transferor club."

The same applies for the FA Cup, although not the Carabao Cup. It also doesn't apply in UEFA competitions such as the Champions League, which is why ex-City right-back Joao Cancelo lined up against his parent club when he was on loan at Bayern Munich in 2023.

Grealish will, therefore, have to watch from the sidelines as David Moyes' men bid to upset Guardiola and Co. in their own backyard. Even the City manager would've liked the 30-year-old to have featured.

"They're the rules," Guardiola told a pre-match press conference. "When I will be a CEO or president of a big institution in England maybe I will change it. If he played it would be nice but I don't have any opinion."

Moyes, meanwhile, admitted: "Jack will be a miss for us because he has played so well. But we will rejig, get ready, and get ready to go."

Grealish's absence could pave the way for Tyler Dibling to start. Moyes hopes that the ex-Southampton prospect can learn from his team-mate following his £40million move to Everton this summer.

"I'm hoping that Tyler picks up on what he's seen from Jack, but it's never easy," the Toffees boss explained. "When you sign players it's not easy for it all to fall into place for them right away, especially in a world where everything is expected so quick.

Should the Premier League change their rules on loan players? Have your say in the comments section.

"I've already said to him; 'You should be watching Jack and seeing what he does'. But Tyler's a really good footballer. I've been really impressed by his football since he's been here.

"He just needs to take a bit of time. He was a bit unlucky to get taken off [against Crystal Palace] - but we had to try and do something to alter the course of the game."

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