Pep Guardiola has been forced into one change ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur as John Stones is sidelined with a hamstring injury, but Ruben Dias might not be called upon as Aymeric Laporte has featured more in recent weeks and would be a safer bet.
Dias has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season and was a regular in the Premier League (12/13 appearances) and Champions League (5/6 appearances) until early-November. The 25-year-old has only featured in one league game in the last three months, however, due to a hamstring injury.
Dias is available for selection, having been named on the bench in City’s last two league games and FA Cup clash, but he’ll be wildly short of match fitness as he’s not getting any minutes under Guardiola.
The Portuguese international made a late cameo in City’s 4-2 win over Tottenham last month which is the only football he’s had since November. Laporte, however, has featured in the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup in the last few weeks alone, so it’s a no-brainer.
It seems Dias will have to be patient for an opportunity, though his long-term future isn’t believed to be in doubt.
In other news, Aymeric Laporte could start against Tottenham after injury blow to teammate
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