3 days ago
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Manchester City will be without Ruben Dias for a number of important matches after the injury he picked up in the Chelsea game
Ruben Dias will miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury in the latest injury blow for Manchester City. The defender had to be taken off towards the end of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea after asking to be substituted having started nine of the previous ten games for the Blues.
Pep Guardiola had bigger injury concerns on the day, with Josko Gvardiol now confirmed to have broken his leg in the game, but was not optimistic at the time on Dias's issue and subsequent tests have shown that he will be out for between four and six weeks.
That will see the vice-captain sidelined at a busy time of year. After Brighton and Exeter this week, City have the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle, the Manchester derby and two Champions League games in a packed January and the schedule for February does not look much lighter with trips to Spurs and Liverpool; two more games will be added if City need a play-off in Europe.
"Khusa and Nathan are back as central defenders, Max came back from the loan. I appreciate what Watford have done for the young lad," said Guardiola. "The rest, Omar and Rayan are at AFCON and the injuries to John, to Oscar Bobb, to come back Jeremy and Rodri from long injuries. It's good."
City confirmed on Monday evening that Gvardiol suffered a broken leg in the Chelsea game. Only seven players have featured more often than the Croatian this season and he is now facing a battle to be fit in time for the end of the season and the World Cup.
"This is a hard moment but it will never define me," the centre-back said. "I know who I am and where I come from. To the Cityzens, thank you for your endless support. I love you, and I'll fight every day to return stronger, as a City warrior.
"My heart beats for Croatia. Always! I will rise again, better than ever! For my club. For my brothers at club and national level. For my people. For Croatia."
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