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Pellegrini stands by plan to field weakened Cup team

Manchester City will travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea in the FA Cup, and it will be an important match for the struggling champions.

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Hiddink is cautiously optimistic Terry will be fit to play against Southampton in the Premier League on February 27.

“I don’t hesitate putting [Traore] in if needed”. The draw appeals to me even with Manchester City resting some starters I think they have the quality to keep this game tight.

“We have a week I hope”.

“But I’m not a fan and so, with the young players we have, I must see the game”.

Just 90 seconds after going behind to Diego Costa’s opener, City equalised through David Faupala – one of the five full debutants – and it was 1-1 at half-time before Chelsea’s second-half blitz.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes Everton would love to extract revenge for their FA Cup final loss in 2009, in this year’s quarter-final clash. If we want to protect the English teams in the Champions League, something has to change. It would not have been quite so hard had we been able to play on Saturday.

He added: “If I as a manager don’t give any importance to the cup I have a reason”.

Despite his comments, Chelsea midfielder Oscar is quietly optimistic Hiddink may yet decide to stay on at the club next season if offered the chance, admitting he has had a “positive influence” since joining.

Hiddink revealed that Chelsea captain John Terry will miss the match with a hamstring injury. “Winning the FA Cup is a prestigious prize in England but also worldwide”. “This week we have worked to return to the team we normally are”.

“I can not predict it and I think we have to be a bit cautious with him as well because he likes to be there every day”, Hiddink said.

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The Dutch boss has only tasted defeat once, in European competition on Tuesday night away to Paris Saint-Germain, but they still have a very decent chance of qualifying from the tie.

Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini defends FA Cup selection 'We have more important things&#039