Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Manchester City welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day as they look to kickstart their Premier League season following an alarming run of form.
Pep Guardiola's side have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions and have plummeted down to seventh in the Premier League table.
Their hopes are all but over of retaining their title for a fifth successive season and after also getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup, their priorities ahead of next summer's FIFA Club World Cup are the Champions League, FA Cup and qualifying for next season's Champions League.
City's bad run has coincided with an unprecedented injury crisis, so with that in mind as they look to kickstart their campaign, here is a look at the current situation in the treatment room at the Etihad Stadium.
Ruben Dias
Injury: Muscular
What we know: Guardiola confirmed last Friday that Dias had picked up the problem in the derby defeat to Manchester United but had played through the pain. He is set to be sidelined for around three weeks.
"Ruben will be out for three or four weeks. It's muscular," Guardiola said.
"[He played] 75 minutes against United, and he felt something, but he is so strong and wanted to stay on the pitch."
Potential return date: Brentford (A) January 14
John Stones
Injury: Foot
What we know: Stones was back in the team at Villa Park but was forced off at the break with a recurrence of the injury that has already seen him sidelined plenty this term. He will be assessed in the coming days but the visit of his former side might prove to be too soon.
Potential return date: Leicester (A) December 29
Mathues Nunes
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Nunes missed out at Villa and it remains to be seen whether he will recover in time for the clash with Everton. Given the tight turnaround it might be asking too much.
Potential return date: Leicester (A) December 29
Ederson
Injury: Knock
What we know: Guardiola said the 'keeper was struggling with an issue and he will be assessed ahead of the visit of Everton.
Potential return date: Everton (H) December 26
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
What we know: Rodri has sustained a serious knee injury and will be out until the middle of next year. He has spoken of his desire to play again this season, possibly in the Club World Cup.
Potential return date: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured Leg
What we know: The Norwegian suffered his leg break in August and the hope is that Bobb will play some part early in the new year.
Potential return date: January/February