Published: 22:30, 6 January 2026 | Updated: 22:30, 6 January 2026

Pep Guardiola admitted that he had wanted to rotate the team more before Manchester City were struck by a defensive injury crisis.

Scans have confirmed that vice-captain Ruben Dias is set to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, piling on the issues for Guardiola after Josko Gvardiol broke his right leg in the same game.

It leaves City with Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov as their only senior central defenders, Guardiola claiming to have 'no idea' when John Stones is returning and giving the clearest indication yet that the England international is leaving in the summer.

Gvardiol and Dias started 11 of the last 12 Premier League games, City's boss aware of the need to keep pace with a consistent Arsenal in the title race. They go into Wednesday's clash with Brighton six points behind the leaders after dropping four points in a matter of days.

'I would like to have given Khusa more games instead of Ruben maybe,' Guardiola said. 'He's played...