Pep Guardiola issues major injury update on Ruben Dias and Ederson as player returns to training | OneFootball

Manchester City supporters have been greeted by an encouraging injury update from manager Pep Guardiola during his latest address to the media this week.

The Premier League champions come into the New Year hoping for somewhat of a fresh start, as they look to build upon their 0-2 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in their final match of 2024.

Goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland either side of the half-time interval gave Pep Guardiola and the club’s supporters hope that they can still find some success this season, amid a 14-game run across competitions that has seen them win just twice.

Much of that poor form has been put down to injuries and a lack of consistent options particularly in defence for Guardiola, and as such there is an urgent need within the club to bring options back to full fitness as soon as possible.

Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of City’s meeting with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Guardiola issued somewhat of an encouraging update concerning two of his injured stars.

On the subject of mainstay first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, the Brazil international has now returned to first-team training, according to his manager, who hopes to see the 31-year-old back in action for the club soon.

Guardiola told reporters at the City Football Academy, “Yesterday (Thursday) he trained better. The first training a little bit without disturbances in his leg… I hope so (that he will be back soon).”

An update was also provided on Ruben Dias, who was originally sidelined for up to a month with a muscular problem sustained in the Manchester derby, and while the Portugal international is expected to remain ruled out this weekend, he is said to be “getting better”.

On the whole, Pep Guardiola has clarified that there has been no change to the picture regarding the injury and fitness situation within his first-team squad for the visit of West Ham this weekend, as he said, “It’s quite similar like we were in Leicester.”

As such, that means that Manchester City will likely be facing West Ham United without the aforementioned Ederson and Ruben Dias, who join John Stones and Matheus Nunes on the sidelines, as well as the long-term absentees in Oscar Bobb and Rodri.

The latter spoke once again this week about his desire to feature again for Manchester City and Spain this season, targeting returns in either the UEFA Nations League or FIFA Club World Cup, whilst February has been tentatively pencilled in as a return date for Bobb.