Pep Guardiola provides update on Ruben Dias injury

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has provided an update on defender Ruben Dias, who was absent from the club’s FA Cup victory at Swansea on Wednesday night through illness.

Dias arrived at the Etihad from Benfica back in September in a deal reportedly worth £61.2m and has made 20 appearances in the Premier League so far this season, establishing himself as one of the team’s most influential players.

However, the Portugal international was missing during City’s 3-1 victory in Wales as Aymeric Laporte partnered Eric Garcia in central defence.

Speaking after his side saw off their Championship opponents, Guardiola revealed: “Ruben had a fever. He still has some problems with the stomach. That’s why he couldn’t train yesterday.”

Regarding midfielders Rodri and Fernandinho, who have both struggled with injury issues, the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager added: “Hopefully, [Rodrigo] will be fit. We will see in the next hours.

“Fernandinho had some problems, some niggles in the quads and he was not able to come here to play.”

Having featured in 90% of the team’s total minutes in the top flight this season, the manager and supporters alike will no doubt be hoping Dias makes a swift recovery but with their upcoming fixture with Tottenham fast approaching, his availability is in doubt.

In securing their 15th consecutive win in all competitions, City set a new English football record, with Dias playing as big a part as anybody. Many attribute the team’s strong improvement defensively to his signing.

City have conceded just 14 goals in the Premier League this season – that’s 16 less than their closest challengers and local rivals Manchester United.

Fernandinho was also absent for the trip to Wales while Rodri was substituted with a knock and it remains to be seen which of the trio will be available and who will be ruled out when Jose Mourinho’s Lilywhites come to town in Saturday’s evening kick off.