Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been ruled out until after the upcoming international break after missing Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth through injury.
City’s 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to end on the south coast as goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson secured a 2-1 win for the hosts, with Josko Gvardiol scoring a late consolation.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola, 53, said Dias will be out until after the international break, meaning he will miss Tuesday’s Champions League match against Sporting and the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.
John Stones, meanwhile, missed out at the Vitality Stadium with plantar fasciitis in his foot and will be assessed before City’s trip to Lisbon in midweek.
Dias had started all-but one of City’s nine Premier League games this season before Bournemouth; Stones has been limited to two starts so far this term.
There was some positive news as Kevin De Bruyne was included in the matchday squad for the first time since picking up a groin injury in September, although he remained an unused substitute.
Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji were doubts prior to the game but both were able to start from the off.
Defeat to Bournemouth leaves City two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who returned to the top of the table with a come-from-behind win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Bournemouth 2 Manchester City 1: Defensive concerns grow as City’s unbeaten start ends on south coast
(Top photos: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images, Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
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