- Manuel Pellegrini previews the clash with Wednesday
- Man City boss issues warning to his players
- Five ruled out through injury for City
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has issued a warning to his players ahead of the cup clash on Wednesday.
The Capital One Cup holders begin the defence of their title in the third round against the Owls.
Having fallen in the FA Cup to Championship side Wigan last season and given the Owls’ current form, Pellegrini knows the potential dangers of drawing second tier opposition in the cup.
He said: “Every time that we play in this competition, and not only our team but every team, when you play against a Championship team it is very difficult.
“They will come here and try to win.
“We had different experiences last season. We were eliminated here in the FA Cup against Wigan who were a Championship team.
“We won the Capital One Cup and we hope that tomorrow we can start in the same way as we played last year.”
Focusing on Sheffield Wednesday, Pellegrini is well aware of the Owls’ strong start to the season and will be taking nothing for granted tomorrow at The Etihad.
He continued: “I know Sheffield Wednesday are in a very good moment and in the last ten games they have only lost one.
“But I am sure the team will be conscious that we are playing to continue in the Capital One Cup.”
The Premier League champions will be without Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Fernando and Stevan Jovetic through injury and Pablo Zabaleta, who is suspended.