Manchester City have suffered another injury blow with Pep Guardiola confirming that Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias is out for “three to four weeks” with a muscle injury.

Dias, who was injured in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, will miss the entire holiday schedule and potentially the FA Cup third round tie against Salford on January 11.
The 27-year-old also faces a battle to be fit for City’s crucial Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on January 22.

Dias has already missed seven games with a calf injury this season, adding to a list of defensive injuries where John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker have all been sidelined at various times, while Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will miss the rest of the domestic season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his knee.
“It’s a muscle problem and he will be out for three to four weeks,” Guardiola said.

“After 75 minutes against United he felt something. But he is very strong and wanted to stay on the pitch. Now he is injured.”

Guardiola confirmed that Stones, Akanji and midfielder Mateo Kovacic have trained this week and could play against Aston Villa on Saturday (12.30 GMT), but said goalkeeper Ederson was “doubtful” with an unrelated problem.
With City having won just one of their 11 games, there has been some surprise at Guardiola’s use of youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly.

City were keen to keep hold of both players despite having numerous loan options. However, McAtee has only made two substitute appearances – coming in the last minute each time – while O’Reilly is yet to make his league debut.

But it looks like they will remain at the club for the second half of the season, with Guardiola replying “I don’t think so” when asked if any players could leave in the January transfer window.