Manchester City set to be without Ruben Dias for crucial week

Ruben Dias is set to miss Manchester City’s crucial games against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool in the next week, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

The Portugal defender has been sidelined with a thigh injury for the past month and, although progressing well in his recovery, may not be back in action for another fortnight.

Leaders City return to action after the international break with a Premier League trip to Burnley on Saturday before hosting Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

The build-up will then begin to the crunch visit of title rivals Liverpool the following Sunday.

Asked how long Dias could be out, Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday: “I don’t know, the doctor said four to six weeks.

“I think it’s four now, (from) March 1, now it’s April 1. I think we need 10 days or two weeks more but everything is going well.”

On the positive side for City, fellow centre-back John Stones has been passed fit after withdrawing from the England squad last week with an injury.

Stones pulled up injured in the warm-up prior to last Saturday’s friendly against Switzerland and then missed Tuesday’s clash with Ivory Coast as he returned to City for treatment.

Looking ahead to the game at Turf Moor, Guardiola said: “Ruben Dias and Cole Palmer are out and the rest are fit.”

City could be knocked off the top of the table for the first time since December before they play on Saturday as Liverpool’s clash with Watford kicks off earlier.

That could apply further pressure to City, who have dropped seven points in their last seven matches, but Guardiola insists it will make no difference to his side’s approach.

He said: “Nothing. Zero. Why? At the end of the weekend we will know the position