Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Manchester City - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - January 1, 2026 Sunderland's Brian Brobbey in action with Manchester City's Ruben Dias REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Jan 6 (Reuters) - Manchester City's Premier League title challenge has suffered a major setback, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming on Tuesday that defender Ruben Dias will be out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Josko Gvardiol faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his shinbone.
Both players sustained their injuries during City's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
City sit second in the league on 42 points, six behind leaders Arsenal after 20 matches.
"Dias, hamstring, for four to six weeks. Gvardiol out for a long time," Guardiola told reporters ahead of Wednesday's home game against 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
"(John) Stones, no idea. Not ready for the next games.
"We have (Nathan) Ake back, a central defender. (Max) Alleyne has come back from his loan at Watford -- we appreciate Watford for what they have done for the young lad. That is the situation.
"With the spirit that we have, always we can cope. Considering fatigue, we have to see the faces and take a decision tomorrow. Tomorrow we will see."
Asked if City will enter the January transfer market, Guardiola said: "Maybe we get something, but it is completely different (to last season). We are not going to buy four or five players like last season."
City have been linked with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo and Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi.
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Ruben Amorim's turbulent 14-month tenure as Manchester United manager ended abruptly on Monday when he was sacked a day after passionately defending his role and vowing not to quit following a disappointing 1-1 draw with promoted Leeds United.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca also departed after an apparent fallout with the club's leadership.
Asked whether managers are being given less time to prove themselves, Guardiola replied: "Yes, it's a fact. Less time. Like what happened with Enzo.
"I can't say anything out of respect for the players and the institutions of Chelsea and Manchester United.
"All I can say is Ruben is a top manager. The decision has been made by our neighbours, but I wish Ruben all the best for the future."
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
