Guardiola warned not to rush Ruben Dias back too early

Manchester City have a momentous April coming up, as they’ll face Atletico Madrid twice in the space of a week over their Champions League quarter-final, with a Premier League six-pointer against Liverpool sandwiched in the middle. It is a concern for Pep Guardiola, therefore, that Ruben Dias may not be back in time for those games.

The centre-back, who won the Premier League Player of the Year award last season, suffered a hamstring injury at the start of March and his return was scheduled for mid-April. Although he is progressing well, and has returned to partial training, Manchester City’s club doctors have warned the coach that rushing him back too soon could lead to an even worse injury.

Trending

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

When does the 2025 January transfer window open and close?

What Man City’s doctors told Guardiola about Ruben Dias

Discussing the advice he has received from the club’s medical staff, Guardiola said: “They told me five or six weeks. I think we will be short after the international break, but they told me it is getting better. His symptoms are very good, but the problem is that when he got injured the doctors told me to be careful. It looks like you are good but falling down again means the season is over. So the position of the hamstring is 'be careful'. We maybe have to wait a few more weeks but it is getting better.”

Guardiola, therefore, has a very tough decision to make. He could bring Ruben Dias back for the clash with Liverpool in the Premier League on April 10th, but there are other difficult fixtures coming up shortly after that, not least in the Champions League.

The decision might come down to the fitness and form of the other centre-back options. With Liverpool flying and in great form, Guardiola will need his defence to be at its best when Jurgen Klopp’s side visit the Etihad and Ruben Dias is certainly part of his best back line.