Ruben Dias has made an early return to Manchester City training as he steps up recovery from a hamstring injury.
Dias was injured two weeks ago in City's FA Cup win at Peterborough, with Pep Guardiola confirming a hamstring issue that would keep the influential defender out for four to six weeks. Dias has missed the derby win over Manchester United, and the 0-0 draws with Sporting and Crystal Palace.
At the minimum timeframe of that prediction, it would keep Dias out of the forthcoming trip to Southampton in the FA Cup as well as the international fixtures later this month. If he was out for six weeks, he could have been doubtful for the Premier League showdown with Liverpool and also the Champions League quarter finals.
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Now, though, City have posted a positive update on Dias' recovery as they appeared to confirm the defender was back in training on Thursday. Posting a picture of Dias laughing in training on Instagram, City posted the caption: "Good morning!"
However, Dias was not named in Portugal's squad to face Turkey in a World Cup play-off semi-final next week, so he is presumably not in contention to face Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday. Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva were in the squad, with Portugal hoping to progress against Turkey to face Italy or North Macedonia for a place at the World Cup.
Pep Guardiola faces the media on Friday where he will likely offer a more detailed update on Dias' recovery.
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And if Dias is nearing a return ahead of schedule, it would give Pep Guardiola a fully-fit squad after the returns of Nathan Ake, Zack Steffen and Cole Palmer last week.
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