Dias expected to miss 4-6 weeks, ruled out of crucial Portugal games

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects Ruben Dias to miss four-to-six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Tuesday's win over Peterborough United.

"In other seasons, our best players have been out for months," Guardiola said, according to The Athletic's Luke Brown. "I'd love him (to play), but he's not there. I will not cry. It is what it is. We have decent players available."

The defender is sidelined for Sunday's derby with Manchester United and will likely miss City's following matches against Sporting CP and Crystal Palace.

Guardiola's timeframe also rules Dias out of Portugal's efforts to reach the World Cup later this year. Portugal faces Turkey in a qualification playoff semifinal on March 24 before the winner of that game meets either Italy or North Macedonia five days later to determine which country punches its ticket to Qatar.

Portugal hasn't missed the World Cup since 1998.