Guardiola expects Dias, Stones, Walker to miss rest of season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola doesn't expect Ruben Dias to be available for the rest of the season after a muscular injury forced the defender's halftime withdrawal from Sunday's 5-0 win over Newcastle United.

If Guardiola is correct, Dias will join fellow defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker in missing the final three matches of City's title bid.

"Three more points. Three games left and one competition to play. And big problems behind because we have just three defenders for these three games," Guardiola said after City moved three points clear atop the Premier League table.

Midfielder Fernandinho, 37, entered as Dias' replacement at center-back. Nathan Ake stayed on the bench, and Guardiola said afterward the Dutchman has been dealing with an ankle injury. Ake is expected to miss Wednesday's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers but may play in City's final two matches against West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Conrad Egan-Riley was also introduced in Aymeric Laporte's place in the 87th minute. The 19-year-old's ability to play at center-back, right-back, or as a holding midfielder could be valuable to Guardiola in the coming weeks.