Captain Vincent Kompany will miss Manchester City’s final Champions League group game – against Borussia Monchengladbach – with a calf injury.
The 29-year-old has been out of football with the problem since early November.
Striker Sergio Aguero, defender Martin Demichelis and midfielder Samir Nasri are all injured too.
City have already ensured their place in the last 16, but could overtake Italian side Juventus at the top of the group with victory.
Juventus – two points clear of City and with a better head-to-head record – play Sevilla away in their final group game.
As it stands, second-placed City risk being drawn against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – who are all leading their respective groups – in the first knockout stage.
“It is important for us to do our task, to win the game and then see what happens with Juventus,” City manager Pellegrini said.
“The most important thing is to qualify, but once you have done that you have to finish at the top, so there are not too many players to rest, maybe one or two.”
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