Manuel Pellegrini: 'Champions League more important than FA Cup for Man City'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that the FA Cup is not top of the club's priority list ahead of a big week in the club's season.

City go to Chelsea for a fifth-round tie on Sunday before travelling to Ukraine for their Champions League last-16 first leg against Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday and then returning to England for the League Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.

Pellegrini has already expressed his displeasure at the way the fixture list has panned out and he is dealing with several injury problems going into this weekend's match at Stamford Bridge.

"Unfortunately for us we have just 13 [senior outfield] players available," Pellegrini told reporters.

"We always try to play with a strong team in every competition - they are all important but we must prioritise the Champions League."

Pellegrini said that he did not like having to put the FA Cup to the back of his mind.

"The priority is always the next game but we are going to make an exception now," he added.

"It's an important week as we can win the first title and make one step further in the Champions League."

The Chilean said that Bacary Sagna, Eliaquin Mangala, Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne and Wilfried Bony are all definitely out of Sunday's game, while Fabian Delph is likely to join them on the sidelines.

With so many injuries to first-team players, Pellegrini is expected to field some youngsters at Stamford Bridge.