As Manchester City turn their attention to their Carabao Cup semi-final against Bristol City in their attempt to secure an unprecedented clean sweep of silverware, John Stones has warned they could pay the price for trying to make history.

No English club has ever won all four competitions available to them in one season, but rarely has a team been as omnipotent over the course of a campaign as Pep Guardiola’s side.

Stones, though, is aware that fatigue could become their toughest opponent as they emerge from a gruelling mid-winter schedule, with the physical demands placed on players like Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, who have featured in virtually every fixture since August, bound to have an impact.

City have already played 35 games this season and if they reach the final of the League Cup, FA Cup and the Champions League, they will need to play another 28 before the end of the season. That figure could rise again if they are forced into a replay in the FA Cup and does not take into consideration that most City players are also regular starters for their international sides.

Stones believes that City’s only defeats this season – away to Shakthar Donestsk in the Champions League in December and Liverpool in the Premier League earlier this month – were partly down to tiredness.