Defender’s absence adds to injury crisis at the back for Manchester City
Manchester City’s Ruben Dias is expected to miss up to six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw to Chelsea on Sunday.
City have been plagued by injuries this season. Rodri is gradually recovering and started on Sunday, but his minutes are still being managed and backup options Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic are out injured.
The defence is a much bigger concern. John Stones is out for months and Nathan Ake cannot play regularly after undergoing foot surgery last season.
Josko Gvardiol is also out for a lengthy period. The player was forced off 30 minutes before Dias during the Chelsea game with an injury to his shin. He is now set to undergo surgery and could be sidelined until close to the end of the season.
Abdukhodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake are the only senior centre-backs in the squad currently and can be expected to start against Brighton on Wednesday. But City also have a hectic schedule over the next month that will see them play seven games in 22 days.
Guardiola was upbeat in his press conference ahead of Brighton’s visit.
“With the spirit that we have, always we can cope,” said Guardiola. “Considering fatigue, we have to see the faces and take a decision tomorrow. Tomorrow we will see.”
But the club are reportedly now targeting Crystal Palace’s centre-back Marc Guehi as a possible incoming this window. Guehi’s contract runs out in the summer and Palace might allow him to leave this winter for a small fee.
