Manchester City ready for derby test after FA Cup win – but Kevin de Bruyne is injury worry

Guardiola's side beat Sheffield Wednesday to seal quarter-final clash away to Newcastle United, as Belgian's shoulder problem gives Spaniard cause for concern

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, left, and goalscorer Sergio Aguero during the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday. EPA

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith saves from Manchester City's Raheem Sterling. AP

Joe Wildsmith saves from Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez. AP

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, right, in action against Wednesday. AP

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match. AP

Joe Wildsmith saves from Rodrigo of Manchester City. Getty

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, right. EPA

Sergio Aguero scores the winner. Reuters

Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring. Reuters

Joe Wildsmith saves from Manchester City's John Stones. AFP

Sergio Aguero under pressure from Wednesday players. Reuters

Shefield Wednesday's Jacob Murphy and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City challenge for a header. EPA

Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City goes on the attack. Getty

Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo attempts to stop a shot from Wednesday attacker Steven Fletcher. EPA

Pep Guardiola feels Manchester City can look forward to this weekend's derby in good spirits after securing their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Sergio Aguero scored the only goal as the holders saw off a spirited but limited Sheffield Wednesday side 1-0 at Hillsborough on Wednesday night.

They will now take on Newcastle United at St James' Park in the next round after Steve Burce's side also knocked out Championship opposition, in West Bromwich Albion, on Tuesday.

Coming after last week's stunning Champions League win at Real Madrid and success in the Carabao Cup final, City are now ready to face Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Guardiola said: "It's better to go there winning games, being in the FA cup than being out, and tomorrow we're going to watch a little bit of United versus Derby to analyse what they have done the last game, and we're going to go there to try to win."

City, however, may have to face their rivals without key man Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the trip to Sheffield after suffering an injury in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup final.

Guardiola said: "Kevin had a problem here [points to shoulder]. He was not fit. In the last game, the last minutes he fell down in a bad position and had a problem in his back. We don't know how long [he will be out]. Hopefully not much."

Asked if he would be fit for the derby, Guardiola said: "I don't know."

City controlled possession against Wednesday but found clear-cut chances hard to come by, particularly in the first half.

A firm left-foot finish from Aguero, which squirmed under goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith on 53 minutes, came as City increased tempo after the break but they could not add to their lead.

But Aguero's effort proved enough as Wednesday failed to seriously test Claudio Bravo.

Guardiola, who made six changes from the side which won at Wembley, said: "This is our fourth game away in a row and we have another one on Sunday at Old Trafford.

"We spent a lot of mental energy in the last games and then came here.

"But the players were absolutely ready, we didn't concede one shot on target and that means a lot for our capacity to read the game. At the end we scored a goal and could have scored much, much more."

Wednesday boss Garry Monk was proud of his battling side and felt they had a genuine gripe over City's goal. Replays suggested Aguero may have been fractionally offside, but VAR was not being used in the tie.

Monk said: "The players did exactly what I asked and delivered it at a very good level.

"Overall we're disappointed to lose the game to a goal that should have been offside. I would rather have lost it to a goal that was more legitimate," he added.

"What is strange is having VAR in some grounds and not others but I am not complaining. Credit to them, they are a fantastic team.

"I'm disappointed with the result but very pleased with the level of commitment."

In Tuesday night's other matches, Ricardo Pereira's late header sent Leicester into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of in-form Championship side Birmingham.

While at the  Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tim Krul was the hero by saving two penalties as Norwich City beat Spurs 3-2 in a shootout after the match finished 1-1 after extra-time.