By Noel Whelan

10th Mar, 2022 | 7:00am

Man City news: Pundit issues 'massive' John Stones verdict after injury update

Man City boss Pep Guardiola “won’t be worried” about Ruben Dias’ injury layoff with “immense” John Stones a more than capable deputy.

That is the view of former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in the wake of the 24-year-old Portugal star’s “massive” fitness blow.

As quoted by the Independent (5 March), Guardiola confirmed Dias will miss for “four to six weeks” with a hamstring problem.

Stones, who has been limited to just six league starts in his preferred centre-back role this term, played 90 minutes as Man City thumped rivals Man United 4-1 on Sunday (6 March).

Whelan insisted the 55-cap England star will be “relishing the opportunity to nail down his place”.

“There’s been a massive turnaround in Stones over the last year or so,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“He’s become a real leader in that defence, really confident on and off the ball – he’s now got everything you want from a centre-back.

“Yes, there’s been a few mistakes trying to play out from the back, but the improvement under Pep Guardiola has been immense over the past few seasons.

“He’s even been one of these players that you can’t take off the teamsheet at times. And that is no mean feat, with the likes of Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and Nathan Ake all coming into the club.

“I think he’ll be relishing the opportunity to nail down his place, especially with the World Cup coming up – he’s one of England’s best defenders.

“Dias is a massive miss, but at the same time it’s a real chance for Stones – I’m sure Guardiola won’t be worried.”

Dias will miss tonight’s (9 March) Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Sporting.

He could also be absent for Man City’s title showdown with Liverpool on 10 April.

In other news, top pundit issues “outstanding” claim after “stupid” Citizens reveal.