Ruben Dias joins Gvardiol on sidelines amid Man City defensive woes

Pep Guardiola stated on Tuesday that Manchester City must manage without Ruben Dias for up to six weeks, alongside defender Josko Gvardiol who faces an extended absence.

The club revealed on Monday that Gvardiol, a centre-back, sustained a tibial fracture in his right leg during the 1-1 stalemate with Chelsea on Sunday, leading to a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

In his press conference on Tuesday, just before the home fixture versus Brighton, Guardiola outlined the serious shortage in central defence, noting that John Stones remains unavailable too.

Dias picked up a hamstring problem, Guardiola explained, keeping him out for between four and six weeks, though no firm return date was given for Gvardiol.

On Stones, the manager added: "He remains unavailable for upcoming matches. Naturally, he holds great importance to our squad over the long term, much like his extended injury spell last season. Things seem similar this year.

"He is putting in tremendous effort and exploring all options, yet he is not yet match ready."

Guardiola, leading a team sitting second in the Premier League and trailing Arsenal by six points, voiced assurance in their ability to navigate these setbacks.

"Thanks to our team spirit, we always find a way to adapt," he remarked.