Ruben Dias and John Stones could both be back in contention for Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea after missing the FA Cup win over Liverpool.
Pep Lijnders has played down concerns around the pair, suggesting neither issue is serious as City head into a key week in both league and cup.
Man City injury update before Chelsea fixture
Ruben Dias missed the 4-0 win over Liverpool after picking up a knock late in training. The defender has undergone further checks, with the club continuing to assess the situation.
“Ruben got a knock in the last minutes of training… we have to see.” — Pep Lijnders, via club media
Dias has not featured since the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on 17 March 2026, and his absence has been noticeable in central defence.
John Stones also close to return
John Stones is in a similar position, having been unavailable for the Liverpool match after withdrawing from international duty.
Lijnders indicated the issue is not serious, suggesting the England international could return shortly.
“He will not be long-term… he was not available.” — Pep Lijnders, via club media
From the last few Manchester City matches we’ve covered, defensive rotation has been necessary in their absence, particularly during high-intensity fixtures. However, it remains too early to confirm whether both will be ready to start against Chelsea.
FA Cup progress adds momentum
City’s win over Liverpool secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will face Southampton at Wembley later in April.
Having followed Manchester City closely this season, maintaining squad fitness has been crucial during congested periods. The return of key defenders could help stabilise performances heading into decisive fixtures.
Key Insights
- Ruben Dias is being assessed after a training knock
- John Stones is expected to return soon
- Neither player is facing a long-term injury
- Manchester City face Chelsea in the Premier League next
- An FA Cup semi-final against Southampton awaits
What’s next for Manchester City?
Chelsea host Manchester City in the Premier League on 12 April 2026, with team selection likely to depend on late fitness checks for both Dias and Stones.
Attention will then shift to the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, where City will aim to reach another final.
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 6 Apr 2026 12:17
Both have to win. It’s going to be an interesting game. I’m going with a win for Chelsea
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