Man City injury update: Nico O'Reilly, Ruben Dias, John Stones latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola sweating over some key players ahead of Arsenal clash

Manchester City heaped pressure on title rivals Arsenal by beating Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday, but were handed a new injury worry in the process.

Nico O’Reilly scored the opener to set City on their way at Stamford Bridge, but was withdrawn through injury shortly thereafter.

It was not all bad news on the fitness front for City, though. Mateo Kovacic has spent the vast majority of this season on the physio’s table, but came off the bench to face his former club, making just his third club appearance of the campaign in doing so. They were his first competitive minutes since making a half-hour cameo against Villarreal in October.

Next week, though, City face the small matter of hosting Arsenal in a match which may well decide the Premier League title, and Guardiola will hope to welcome some fresh faces back into the fold.

With that in mind, here is all the latest Manchester City injury news and potential return dates...

Left-back Nico O’Reilly has been a revelation this season, hitting fine form in the new year to bolster Man City’s push to catch Arsenal.

He scored the opener against Chelsea after a first-half stalemate, but was struck down with an injury just over ten minutes later.

The 21-year-old went down off the ball clutching his left hamstring and was replaced by Rayan Ait-Nouri after receiving treatment.

Speaking at full-time, Guardiola did not offer an update on the player’s condition, but he did not appear overly concerned as he smiled and shared a joke with O’Reilly before sending him down the tunnel.

He may offer an update on his condition this week when he meets the press ahead of facing Arsenal.

Potential return date: April 19 vs Arsenal (H)

Pep Guardiola reacts as Nico O’Reilly goes down injured

AFP via Getty Images

Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias is dealing with a hamstring injury which has kept him sidelined since mid-March, when he was withdrawn at half-time of City’s Champions League last-16 second-leg defeat by Real Madrid.

He was pushing to feature against Chelsea on Sunday but fell short, with Guardiola suggesting he could be passed fit in time to face Arsenal next weekend.

“He is getting better but he is not ready [to face Chelsea],” said Guardiola.

Potential return date: April 19 vs Arsenal (H)

John Stones

John Stones has endured an injury-ravaged campaign, and is presently sidelined with a miscellaneous muscle injury which has kept him unavailable since early March.

He is pushing to pass muster and play a role in City’s run-in, with his involvement at this summer’s World Cup on the line if he cannot prove his fitness.

The veteran centre-back had hoped to return to first-team training ahead of the Chelsea defeat, but it is not yet clear how close he is to making a return.

“Today maybe [Stones] will do partial training, we’ll see,” Guardiola said last week.

If he is soon back on the grass, a return could be on the cards in a matter of weeks.

Potential return date: Late April/Early May

Josko Gvardiol suffered a fractured leg in January

AFP via Getty Images

Josko Gvardiol

Josko Gvardiol seemed to have suffered a season-ender when he broke his leg in the reverse fixture against Chelsea in January.

He is progressing in his recovery, but Guardiola has played down the possibility of him making a comeback this season.

Speaking last week, he said: “He’s getting better but still he isn’t close.”

Writing on his social media after being sidelined, Gvardiol said: “This is a hard moment, but it will never define me. I know who I am and where I come from. I'll fight every day to return stronger. I will rise again, better than ever."