Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said that his squad is doing well considering all its injuries.

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"I think that one of most important merits of this squad at the moment is to continue being involved in all competitions, as you say with so many injuries. I hope that in the future we can have a more normal amount of players for each game because the first part of the season was very difficult," Pellegrini told a news conference before this weekend's FA Cup third round tie against Norwich City.

"I think the priority for my team, also the way I think is to have the mentality to try to win every game; it doesn't matter which competition you are playing. After that you will see how many games we can advance in each competition. But I don't think it's important to think which competition are you playing in. It's important to try to win every game because that gives you an ambitious mind, a winning mind, a lot of things that for me are very important for this team," said the Chilean on Friday (8 January).

City's England goalkeeper, Joe Hart, will be rested for the cup match. Hart was also left on the bench for City's League Cup semi-final, first leg at Everton on Wednesday and Argentine Willy Caballero will continue in his place on Saturday, but the English international should return for next Wednesday's match against Everton.

"I think for Joe it's very good to work one complete week because we are playing so many games it's impossible for the players to work. So for Joe, as we are going to play next Wednesday against Everton in the Premier, I think it's very good for Joe to have complete week to work," said Pellegrini.

Captain Vincent Kompany is recovering from a calf injury and the City boss does not want to rush his return. "Vincent is progressing the same way that a muscle injury must progress with time, but you cannot try to hurry up him because he needs days to have a good calf," said Pellegrini.

City are still in all four competitions which they started, although they must retrieve a 2-1 deficit against Everton. Pellegrini says a strong FA Cup run is important, even if that would place extra burdens on his squad.

Manchester City FC