Pearce unfazed by fixture pile-up

Pearce's side face two key matches in three days

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is not worried about fixture congestion caused by his side's FA Cup success.

City's replay win over Aston Villa on Tuesday means they face their third game in seven days when they take on West Ham in the last eight on Monday.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew - whose side will have to play three games in six days - has criticised the schedule.

But Pearce told BBC Five Live: "Fitness has never been a problem at this club. I think we are as fit as any club."

He added: "I try and give them as many days off as physically possible to try and rest them."

Pearce's side host Wigan in the Premiership on Saturday and kick off on Monday evening against West Ham for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Pardew slams Cup fixture pile-up

The City boss said he would be aiming to win both matches, allaying fears that he might be tempted to field a weakened team for the league match.

"I'm going to have a staff meeting and decide how we are going to approach this next four or five days," he revealed.

"We are nowhere near good enough a team or a club to prioritise anything.

"I've got to pick a side that I think is going to win the first game, then I've got to pick a side that I think is going to win the second game."