Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is set to miss “three to four weeks” with an unspecified muscular injury.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury in last weekend’s derby defeat at home to Manchester United and he is now unlikely to feature over a busy festive period.
Dias has played in 19 matches for Guardiola’s side in all competitions this season, starting in 12 of their opening 16 Premier League fixtures.
“Ruben is out for a long time and Ederson, I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow,” Guardiola said via Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
When asked to clarify any timeframe for the absence of Dias, Guardiola said: “It will be three to four weeks. In the 75th minute against United he felt something muscular, he is so strong and wanted to stay on the pitch and now he is injured.”
Dias is now set to miss the trip to Villa and City’s upcoming Premier League game at home to Everton on December 26, as well as the match at Leicester City three days later and the home game against West Ham United on January 4. Stefan Ortega would likely come in for Ederson if the Brazilian is not fit for the Villa match. Ederson was recently benched for three Premier League games, with Ortega playing instead, but was recalled to the starting line-up for the United game last Sunday.
Guardiola offered a more positive update on the fitness of defenders Manuel Akanji and John Stones, saying: “Manuel and John, they are back training the last two days, so that’s good for us.
“I don’t know yet (if they will start on Saturday). Yesterday (Thursday), was their first training session.”
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