Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Ruben Dias is ready to return to action.

Dias could feature against Brighton - if the manager is happy - but the fact Dias has followed a strict recovery programme has made the recovery process a textbook exercise.

“Ruben can perfectly handle the lack of time playing for seven weeks," said Guardiola.

“He can handle it perfectly. The other ones need step-by-step minutes.

“I think for seven weeks he went to bed at 10pm up at 7am, lunchtime at 3pm every day.

“He was in the gym and the pool. That's why in his mind he says he is OK.

“I would say it doesn't depends on the position (when he is ready), it depends on the player."

Asked if there was the chance the Portuguese could break down with a recurrence of the injury, Guardiola added: “Maybe. The doctor said six-eight weeks to recover.

“Now it's seven. We are in this margin. It could happen, but he is training and feels much better.

“I don't know what's going to happen. I don't have any doubts about Ruben and what is going to happen.

“He is 23 years old, so young. It is not a problem. He is not a problem."