Pep Guardiola reveals return date for Ruben Dias after hamstring injury against Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faced the press on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Blues’ title chances suffered the latest hit at the weekend as a 94th minute Enzo Fernandez leveller at the Etihad Stadium saw Chelsea salvage a point against a Manchester City side who have dropped four points in their opening two games of 2026.

City next face Brighton and must win to keep up the pressure on league leaders Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top of the table to six points as pressure mounts on Guardiola and co to return to winning ways against the Seagulls.

Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias went off with injury against Chelsea, with the former suffering a tibial fracture in his right leg and set to be sidelined for four to five months as Manchester City circle the January transfer market for reinforcements.

Rodri made his first start in three months against the west Londoners, with the 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner starring in the middle of the park in Nico Gonzalez’s absence.

John Stones, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic were all absent from the matchday squad against Chelsea, with Jeremy Doku getting more minutes in the locker off the bench after recently returning to fitness.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Guardiola confirmed that Dias has suffered a hamstring injury and will be unavailable for four to six weeks.

The Catalan added that he has ‘no idea’ when Stones could be back, with the England international out of contention against Brighton. “He’s not ready for the next games,” Guardiola said on Stones.

Nathan Ake came on against Chelsea and was deemed fit to play on Wednesday by Guardiola, with the Netherlands international expected to start alongside Abdukodir Khusanov in central defence – with Manchester City academy graduate Max Alleyne also likely to make the bench after returning from loan at Watford this week.

“We have (Abdukodir) Khusa and Nathan (Ake) back as central defenders, Max (Alleyne) came back from loan at Watford – we appreciate Watford, what they’ve done for the young lad,” Guardiola said on Manchester City’s injury situation in defence, also confirming that Gonzalez is ‘fine’.

“Omar (Marmoush) and Rayan (Ait-Nouri) is in AFCON, injuries with John (Stones), Oscar Bobb, coming back Jeremy (Doku) and Rodri from long injuries – that’s the situation. That’s good.” On whether City can cope with their current options, Guardiola added: “Of course! With the spirit we have, always we can cope with it.”

City can ill-afford many more slip-ups in the title race and director of football Hugo Viana has stepped up efforts to secure the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the wake of injuries to Dias and Gvardiol at the weekend.