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Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Ruben Dias has been ruled out for up to four weeks while Ederson remains doubtful for the trip to Villa Park.
Pep Guardiola confirmed of Ruben Dias’ injury ahead of the clash at Villa Park. (Image: X)
Skipper and star defender for Manchester City, Ruben Dias has been ruled out of action for up to four weeks due to a muscular issue as the defending English Premier League champions’ injury crisis worsens.
The star centre-back had been out of action in November due to a calf issue but made his return in December where he made five appearances in the month. But Pep Guardiola confirmed that Dias would not be available and also revealed that Ederson would be a doubt for the upcoming away clash against Aston Villa on Saturday due to fitness concerns.
“Ruben is out for a long time and Ederson, I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow,” Guardiola said on Friday.
The Manchester City manager also shared that Dias would be out for “three or four weeks”.
Guardiola revealed that the centre-back had raised injury concerns during the derby clash against Manchester United but looked to work through the pain.
He revealed, “After 75 minutes against United he felt something,” he said. “He’s strong and wanted to stay on the pitch but now he’s injured.”
The Premier League champions have not been at their best after losing out a total of 8 in the past 11 games, resulting in them being fifth in the points table.
Guardiola also hinted that Manuel Akanji and John Stones are back in training but Nathan Ake remains out of action.
“Manuel and John are back in training,” said Guardiola. “That is good for us. As many players that are back the better,” he shared.
“I don’t know yet (if they can start against Aston Villa). Yesterday was their first training session, I would say, properly. They have been out for a while,” he added.
This current run is Guardiola’s worst period in his managerial career which including some prolific period with the likes of FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. But the Spaniard remains optimistic of his side being able to find their way this season and possibly mount a challenge for the title.
“If you fall down six times, you have to stand up seven,” he said. “There’s not an alternative,” he said.
“I am fine. I am a normal person. When it is going well I am better, when it is not going well professionally we are more concerned about what we have to do. We have to start again but we don’t know what will happen (at Villa Park). We have to try it again and sooner or later it will turn around,” he concluded.
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