Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol return to Manchester City training ahead of Brentford clash | OneFootball

Manchester City defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have returned to training ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford.

Ruben Dias has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury before the Carabao Cup final in March, while Josko Gvardiol has been sidelined since January with a tibial fracture – with both players watching from the sidelines as City mounted a title charge in the second half of the season.

Their returns could not be better timed. City go into Saturday’s home meeting with Brentford five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, with three points at the Etihad Stadium required to keep any hope of a title charge alive heading into the final three games of the campaign.

Report: Dias and Gvardiol back in training

According to Sky Sports News, Dias and Gvardiol returned to Manchester City training on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.

Whether either player is available for selection on Saturday remains to be seen, with Guardiola expected to provide an update on the pair in his pre-Brentford press conference on Friday afternoon.

Even if neither is deemed ready to start, their return to the training ground represents a significant step forward for a defensive unit that has leaned heavily on Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov throughout the run-in.

What would their returns mean for City?

Dias and Gvardiol are two of City’s most important players and their absence has been keenly felt across the second half of the season.

Gvardiol in particular has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this term, with City having already tabled a lucrative contract extension to keep the Croatian at the Etihad Stadium until 2033 amid interest from Real Madrid.

City still have the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley to come alongside their remaining Premier League fixtures – and Guardiola will be desperate to have as many options at his disposal as possible as the season reaches its climax.

The news that both defenders are back on the grass on Friday will have been warmly received at the Etihad Stadium.