Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias has returned to training after being sidelined with injury and could return ahead of a crucial game.
Dias has been suffering from a muscle problem for the past month, last showing symptoms in mid-December during the club’s late defeat to city rivals Manchester United. City enjoyed a mini-resurgence after Christmas, winning three successive games in a performance that was not entirely convincing, but ended in a disastrous 2-2 draw with Brentford on Tuesday night.
City led 2-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining at the G-Tech Community Stadium, but still looked to emerge without all three points. The defending champions have already scored 29 goals in the league, the same number Arsenal conceded in the entirety of last season.
At the time of Dias’ absence, manager Josep Guardiola predicted Dias would be without a centre-back for “three or four weeks”. That rough recovery period has passed and the imposing defender took part in first-team training on Wednesday alongside the players who did not take part in the draw with Brentford.
Ruben Diaz reduced to the role of an irritated spectator/Carl Recine/GettyImages
For City, Dias’ arrival cannot come soon enough. The Sky Blues travel to newly promoted Ipswich Town on Sunday before heading to the French capital for a crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. Both teams, modern European giants, are concerned about missing out on a place in the knockout stages.
After that intercontinental clash, City return to domestic duty with a visit from heavy favorites Chelsea on Saturday 25th January.
Guardiola has always insisted that the simple solution to City’s weaknesses is to get injured players back to fitness. Dias shares the treatment room with fellow first-choice centre-back John Stones and current Ballon d’Or holder Rodri.
As well as relying solely on the club’s medical department, City also turned to the transfer market to strengthen their backline.
Abdukkodir Kusanov is set to join from Lens, while a deal has also been agreed for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis. The young centre-backs have a combined age of 39 and will likely command a combined fee of close to £70m.
Read the latest Man City news, transfer rumors and gossip
