Everton will have to do without their star player Jack Grealish in this weekend’s Premier League clash against his parent club, Manchester City. The midfielder is ineligible to play due to a long-standing league regulation introduced in 2004.

Grealish, who joined Everton on loan from Manchester City at the start of the season, is barred from facing his parent club — a rule designed to avoid conflicts of interest during temporary transfers.

The restriction was introduced after a famous incident in February 2004, when Lomana LuaLua, on loan from Newcastle United to Portsmouth, scored a late equaliser against his former side. The goal prompted the Premier League to revise its rules to prevent loanees from competing against their original clubs in the future.

The official Premier League handbook states: “During the period of a temporary transfer… a player shall not play against the club which holds his registration.” As a result, David Moyes will be forced to leave Grealish out of the squad for the first time this season.