Ruben Dias and Nico Gonzalez are nearing a return to action for Manchester City ahead of monumental games against Tottenham and Liverpool, as per a new report.Dias went off with a hamstring injury in ...
Ruben Dias and Nico Gonzalez are nearing a return to action for Manchester City ahead of monumental games against Tottenham and Liverpool, as per a new report.
Dias went off with a hamstring injury in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4, the same game wherein Josko Gvardiol was hauled off with a tibial fracture on his right leg that is expected to keep the 23-year-old Croatian sidelined till the summer.
A sudden personnel problem in defence saw officials at the Etihad Stadium bolster their backline by recalling academy graduate Max Alleyne from loan at Watford and close a £20 million deal to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace last week.
After winning twice in seven games in all competitions, City returned to winning ways at the weekend as goals from AFCON returnee Omar Marmoush and January signing Antoine Semenyo helped Pep Guardiola and co to their first Premier League triumph of 2026.
Dias and Gvardiol have missed City’s last six games and the calendar isn’t easing up for the Blues in the next fortnight, starting with Wednesday night as the Blues enter a must-win UEFA Champions League group-stage contest against Galatasaray at home.
Arsenal handed City another lifeline in the title race after slipping up against Manchester United on Sunday evening and Guardiola’s men can maintain the pressure on the Premier League leaders should they beat Tottenham and Liverpool in their upcoming fixtures.
Though Gvardiol is sidelined till April or May, FPL Maine Road has reported on X that Dias is “due to return from injury very soon” and is targeting to be in contention for next weekend’s trip to Anfield.
Furthermore, Gonzalez could also be in line for a return in City’s upcoming games against Galatasaray and Tottenham, which could see Rodri receive a much-needed rest after having started regularly in the middle of the park for Guardiola’s side this month.
Gonzalez has proved to be a very reliable stand-in for Rodri since his £50 million arrival from Porto in January 2025, establishing himself as a capable deputy for the Ballon d’Or winner, who has endured a torrid 15 months with injury.
Guardiola rested Erling Haaland and Phil Foden against Wolves and the boyhood Manchester City fan duo are expected to return to the starting XI against Galatasaray on Wednesday night, with former City captain Ilkay Gundogan set for an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium.
The Manchester City manager will be quizzed on his side’s fitness after the Wolves win when he faces the press on Tuesday afternoon, though Oscar Bobb’s future is also likely to be discussed as the 22-year-old Norwegian nears a permanent transfer to Fulham.
City need three points against Galatasaray to stake a claim for the top eight of the UEFA Champions League group-phase rankings, having slipped up in embarrassing fashion against Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle last week.
Category: General Sports
