City defenders Stones and Dias played 45 minutes each as we secured our place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient.
Both have seen their seasons disrupted by injuries but the City boss had more options for a win in East London with January signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis also playing a half each.
Brazilian Reis is ineligible to face Real Madrid in our Champions League play-off on Tuesday night at 20:00 (UK), but Guardiola is delighted to be able to call on Stones and Dias who have been so influential in recent seasons.
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“Two years ago in the year of the Treble, [Stones] helped us in many different ways,” Guardiola said.
“For the last three months he hasn’t played 90 minutes and the last two games he played without pain. That’s really good because his presence is important.
“Ruben again is back, he played 45 minutes. We will see how many players we can recover for the next games.”
Nico, however, was forced off just 22 minutes into his City debut after picking up a knock.
Asked whether he will be available to face Real Madrid, Guardiola said: “I hope so. The kick was strong in this area. We have a few days, we will see.”
Watch the second part of Pep’s press conference in the video above…
