**Manchester City are currently running tests on the injury sustained by Ruben Dias during the weekend’s clash with Chelsea.**
The concern surrounding Dias adds to an increasingly challenging situation for Pep Guardiola, who has already seen his defensive options stretched by a growing injury list. The Portuguese centre-back was forced off late in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium – a match that compounded City’s frustration after surrendering a late equaliser to Enzo Fernandez.
Dias’ withdrawal came amid a wider defensive reshuffle during the contest, with City already without long-term absentee John Stones and managing the workload of Nathan Aké. Those pressures have since intensified following confirmation that Josko Gvardiol will be sidelined for an extended time after sustaining a tibial fracture requiring surgery.
With Pep Guardiola admitting post-match that he is increasingly concerned by the volume of defensive injuries, Manchester City have already acted in the short term by recalling Max Alleyne from his Championship loan spell at Watford.
The 20-year-old had been impressing with regular minutes but now returns to bolster numbers at the City Football Academy as assessments continue on first-team availability, and Alleyne is likely to be included in the squad against Brighton and Exeter in the immediate term.
Speaking for the first time since being withdrawn during the closing exchanges of Sunday evening’s draw against Chelsea, Ruben Dias wrote in [a caption on his social media](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTI-5qEDL8w/?img_index=1) channels, “We on a mission and nothing will change that.
“Frustrating time for a set back but will work as hard as I can to be back as soon as possible. C’mon City!”
Additional reporting from [MailSport’s Jack Gaughan](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15436723/Man-City-major-blow-Josko-Gvardiol-months-Marc-Guehi.html) has highlighted that the Portuguese defender had sustained a muscle issue against Calum McFarlane’s side, with Manchester City running tests on the severity of the issue.
The results of those tests are now crucial in shaping Manchester City’s immediate plans. A short-term absence could be managed, but a more serious muscular injury would significantly alter Guardiola’s defensive options during a congested run of fixtures across competitions.
As previously reported, City are also keeping a close eye on the January transfer market, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi among the centre-backs under consideration should reinforcements be required.
Any move for the Selhurst Park and Wembley Stadium star, however, is likely to be dictated by the timelines for Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol’s respective recoveries.
For now, Manchester City await clarity and with the title race tightening and squad depth already under strain, Ruben Dias’ recovery timeframe may prove pivotal to how Pep Guardiola navigates the coming weeks.