Manchester City’s assistant manager, Pep Lijnders, has provided a new update on John Stones and Ruben Dias as both defenders are nearing returns from recent injury problems.
Both Stones and Dias missed Man City’s resounding 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday though the former was named amongst the substitutes.
Dias has been absent since being taken off the pitch during Man City’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on March 17 and did not link up with his country during the international break. Stones, meanwhile, withdrew from England duty having picked up a slight niggle and has been on the bench for City’s last two matches including the Carabao Cup final win on March 22.
Stones’ last appearance was in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Newcastle on March 7 when he played the full 90 minutes and the 31-year-old will hope to prove his fitness in the coming months in order to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
With Pep Guardiola serving a touchline ban during Saturday’s match it was Lijnders who spoke to the media with the assistant coach saying neither Dias nor Stones should face long-term absences.
“Ruben [Dias] got a knock [on Friday] in the last minutes of training,” Lijnders said. “We are assessing it. I think he had a scan again so we have to see.
“John [Stones], to be honest, I think he will not be long-term but he was not available [last Saturday].”
Should both players be fit for City’s next game, against Chelsea in the Premier League this Sunday, it will be a big help to Guardiola who must also juggle other injuries in the squad.
Josko Gvardiol remains a out for the long term having not played since the league draw with Chelsea in January. Guardiola has previously hoped to have the versatile defender available before the end of the season and Gvardiola himself is working towards being as ready for the 2026 World Cup with Croatia.
Having already lifted the Carabao Cup this year, City are aiming to also win the FA Cup and will take on Championship side Southampton in the next round. They are also in with an outside chance at winning the Premier League but must overcome a nine-point deficit to Arsenal with eight matches remaining.