Pep Guardiola warned his Manchester City players to treat Newport County seriously or miss the Champions League next week.

City face League Two Newport in the FA Cup on a Rodney Parade quagmire and then travel to face Schalke on Wednesday.

However Guardiola made it abundantly clear that the FA Cup — a competition he watched growing up, marveling at the squelching lower-league pitches — holds significant importance for him.

Pep Guardiola warned his Manchester City players to treat Newport County seriously

That is in part down to the humiliating 1-0 defeat at Wigan in last year’s fifth round — when Guardiola delivered a now-famous team talk captured by the Amazon cameras.

‘If they think about the next game, maybe they actually stay here for the next game, they don’t travel to Germany,’ he said. ‘I’m not a sweet guy in those situations, they have to take it seriously and play the game like it deserves.’

This will be Rodney Parade’s 63rd match since summer and it is also home to rugby and the occasional women’s international. Guardiola said they are within their rights to do ‘whatever they want’ with the pitch.

Pep Guardiola made it abundantly clear that the FA Cup holds significant importance for him

That is in part down to the humiliating 1-0 defeat at Wigan in last year’s fifth round

‘We played in the Premier League against Tottenham, when a day before there was an NFL game, so why shouldn’t it happen for a team in a lower division?’ he said.

Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy are among those with points to prove. Club-record signing Mahrez has not started in the Premier League since December 30 and Guardiola said: ‘He is a guy we are happy with, but unfortunately I am not kind with him.’

Mendy is back from another knee injury, and Guardiola added: ‘We miss him but we cannot cry because he is not there.’

Listening to Britney Spears during his London Underground commute to training, waiting in hotel corridors to bump into Arsenal players and placing gemstones on the goalmouth to stop opponents from scoring.

Meet Anthony Wordsworth, possibly the most humble and quirky player left in this season’s FA Cup.

Wordsworth helped Wimbledon, the side bottom of League One, stun Premier League West Ham 4-2 in the fourth round last month and is craving another upset against Championship side Millwall on Saturday.

Anthony Wordsworth is possible the most humble and quirky player left in the FA Cup

It is a competition the 30-year-old adores after being fortunate enough to watch Arsenal, the club he supports, defeat Chelsea 2-1 in the 2017 final at Wembley.

Last month, he happened to find himself staying in the same hotel as the Gunners. Arsenal had faced Blackpool in the FA Cup so Wordsworth hung around to catch a glimpse of the Premier League players he idolises. It worked, as he got a fist bump off Alex Iwobi.

‘I’m a big Arsenal fan,’ said Wordsworth, who takes three trains to get from his home in Hertfordshire to Wimbledon’s training ground every day. ‘I’ve been to a few FA Cup finals.

‘I was at the one in 2017, sitting right by where Olivier Giroud crossed for Aaron Ramsey, then they came over and celebrated. It sounds silly but I got my hands on a few players in the celebration.’ 

Wordsworth’s Wimbledon take on Millway in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday

Another quirk of Wordsworth’s is that he carries ‘lucky stones’ with him wherever he goes.

He sometimes places them in the goalmouth to inspire Wimbledon to score — and stop the opponents from doing the same. His team-mates now call him ‘John Stones’ as a result.

Asked for the story behind them, Wordsworth said it started when his brother Steven died at the age of 40 after suffering a heart attack.

The Dons pulled off a shock 4-2 win over Premier League side West Ham in the previous round 

Wordsworth was nicknamed John Stones for the lucky stones he keeps before games

‘I was going through a difficult time and one of my friends who was really into it told me: “Try going to a crystal healer, have a chat with her, see what it’s like”,’ Wordsworth said.

‘So I thought I would give it a go. Could be coincidence, could be a load of rubbish, but if I have got them on me, I just feel a lot better.

‘If I start thinking about something, then I realise I’ve got the stones on me, I snap out of it straight away.

‘If I saw somebody else do it a few years ago, I’d be the first one to hammer them. Now the boys are at me to get them out when they’re cheering on horses: “Get your stones out!” I’m like, “That’s not what they’re for”.

‘I bring them out on the pitch before games and the lads have been putting them in the goalmouth, hoping they’ll help us score more goals… obviously that hasn’t been working.’ 

How do they work exactly? ‘You charge them by the moon and the sun and bury them in soil,’ he explained. ‘It’s a bit deep. You’re all looking at me like I’m mental.’

Wordsworth wants to beat Millwall to test himself against Premier League opponents again.

‘I’m not one of those who gets nervous,’ he said. ‘I remember being in the tunnel before West Ham thinking, ‘We’re going to win this’. I just felt up for it. We came out firing.’

Wimbledon believe that luck will be on their side against Millwall too, courtesy of Wordsworth’s game of stones.

Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips ahead of Saturday’s meetings at Ascot, Wincanton, Haydock, Lingfield, Gowran and Kempton. 

Racing expert Robin Goodfellow brings you the tips you need ahead of Friday’s meetings

ASCOT 1:35 

TOP VILLE BEN has looked highly promising in two starts over fences at Hexham and Wetherby where his fencing technique has been exemplary in the main. The larger obstacles look to have made a man of him as he is settling better in his races now and arguably doesn’t need to blaze a trail any more to produce his best.

Selection: Top Ville Ben 

Danger: Mister Malarky

ASCOT 2:10 

Remarkably, this is a first handicap over fences for BLACK CORTON and he makes some appeal returning to a venue where he was highly impressive 12 months ago. Events haven’t panned out for the selection this term, but he has twice run well in defeat, including last time over an inadequate trip behind Top Notch at Kempton.

Selection: Black Corton

Danger: Reikers Island 

Black Corton is returning to a venue where he was highly impressive 12 months ago

ASCOT 2:45 

CLAN DES OBEAUX was arguably value for more than the one-and-a-half length winning margin in the King George VI Chase as he pulled himself up a little when hitting the front. This looks the perfect stepping stone prior to launching a concerted Gold Cup bid next month. Terrefort returned to form at Cheltenham and looks the chief threat.

Selection: Clan Des Obeaux

Danger: Terrefort

ASCOT 3:20 

GETAWAY TRUMP and Al Dancer look two smart novices in the making and they may have a little too much class for their rivals. It is difficult to separate the duo as they have trod similar paths this season, but marginal preference is for the former who has enjoyed a good campaign despite the suspicion a sizable field and stronger gallop would produce further improvement. Al Dancer boasts plenty of pace and could prove a formidable adversary.

Selection: Getaway Trump 

Danger: AI Dancer 

ASCOT 3:55 

Fans of Waiting Patiently have been forced to do just that with the talented eight-year-old making just one appearance this season. It is safe to say the Northern raider didn’t enjoy much luck when brought down in the King George VI Chase and could bounce back, however CYRNAME impressed over course and distance last month when finding a great rhythm at his fences and if he can recapture that level he may be tough to reel in.

Selection: Cyrname 

Danger: Waiting Patiently

WINCANTON 1:45  

A drop in trip may work the oracle for MAGIC SAINT who hasn’t appeared to get home a couple of times over further distances at Haydock and Ascot for new connections. The handicapper has offered the French recruit a little respite for those defeats, in decent handicaps, and today’s test should be more suitable. 

Selection: Magic Saint

Danger: Gino Trail 

WINCANTON 3:00  

SCEAU ROYAL uses this event as a stepping stone for the Champion Chase, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored on his return to hurdles. A disappointment in the Tingle Creek behind Altior, the selection will find today’s ground more suitable. Was third to stablemate Yanworth in this contest two years ago and may go two better today.  

Selection: Sceau Royal

Danger: Vision Des Flos

Sceau Royal shouldn’t be ignored on return to Wiscanton hurdles – the ground should suit him

HAYDOCK 1:55

SHADES OF MIDNIGHT has plenty to find with Stayers’ Hurdle-sixth Yanworth and Kilcooley on official ratings, but he boasts a fitness edge and perhaps more importantly has plenty of track experience. He was unfortunate to be collared near the line by Paisley Park here and his conqueror dominates the Stayers’ Hurdle market.

Selection: Shades of Midnight

Danger: Yanworth 

HAYDOCK 3:35

Last year’s winner YALA ENKI has had this race as a target for a while and a seven-week break should ensure he is fresh and well as he looks to repeat last year’s heroics. First-time blinkers should assist Red Infantry who is a threat, while Welsh National runner-up Ramses De Teillee and 2017 winner Vieux Lion Rouge give David Pipe a strong hand.

Selection: Yala Enki

Danger: Red Infantry 

GOWRAN 2:30   

The absence of Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy has robbed the race of stature and glamour, but it presents a good opportunity for MONALEE to put his career back on track with a win. The Ryanair remains a feasible target for the eight-year-old who may see his biggest threat stem from Killultagh Vic.

Selection: Monalee

Danger: Killultagh Vic 

ASCOT 

HAYDOCK  

WINCANTON 

LINGFIELD

KEMPTON