FA Cup: Manuel Pellegrini taking Sheffield Wednesday seriously in third round

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is mounting a serious challenge for the FA Cup this season, starting with Sunday’s third round clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

The Premier League champions thrashed the Owls 7-0 in the Capital One Cup in September, and they are in much better form now than they were early in the season – City are unbeaten in their last 12 games, winning 10 of them.

That run has seen them claw back an eight-point deficit to draw level with Chelsea in the Premier League and reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

It seems a daunting task for Wednesday but, coming soon after the draining Christmas programme, manager Manuel Pellegrini is taking nothing for granted.

The Chilean said: "It has been a difficult moment because we played three games in a week, very important games in the Premier League.

"We had to play for nine points in one week but we have finished that and now we must think about Sheffield Wednesday.

For our team it is a very important cup. Last year we were eliminated here against Wigan but we won the Capital One Cup.

"For our team it is a very important cup. Last year we were eliminated here against Wigan but we won the Capital One Cup.

"This year we are eliminated from the Capital One so we will try to continue in the FA Cup as far as we can."

City were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Newcastle in October amid a poor spell that saw them win just once in six games.

Pellegrini said: "For different reasons we had a low performance for around two weeks.

"We were not playing so bad in that moment but we made important mistakes and when you make mistakes the score is not what you want. After that, we arranged again the way we were playing.

"Important players returned to their normal performance and I am very happy with the way we are playing now.

"We still have so many injured players but we arrange in different ways and continue winning."

Pellegrini has hinted that second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero is likely to remain in the side after England No 1 Joe Hart was rested against Sunderland on New Year's Day.

Pellegrini said: "It is important when you play so many games - not only for Joe but for other players - to have an important rotation.

"I did the same in the Capital One for Willy Caballero. I think it's good for Willy, good for Joe and good for the team. It's exactly the same as other positions in the team."