Pep Guardiola Drops Surprise Hint On Rodri’s Return As New Injury Timeline Emerges

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has announced that Rodri may return to action before the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who was initially expected to miss the rest of the season due to anterior cruciate ligament damage sustained in September, has resumed individual training this week.

While Rodri himself had previously spoken optimistically of playing again this term, Guardiola had been far more cautious, suggesting it was not worth the risk even if possible.

It now appears that Rodri’s recovery has surpassed expectations, and he could make an appearance before the end of the domestic season and participate in the Club World Cup this summer.

Guardiola said, “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited.

“But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and (suffer) steps back. It’s good, but still,, he’s not close to coming back, I would say.

“But he’s touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy.

“I could not expect before (him to return), but maybe before the end of the season, not even the (Club) World Cup in the Premier League, maybe, it’s going to happen.”

On the downside for City, defender Nathan Ake looks set for another lay-off after being forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Dutchman will be added to a list of those injured, which also features fellow center-backs John Stones and Manuel Akanji, both of whom are expected to miss a significant portion of the remainder of the season.

Guardiola said, “We’ll do the test but he struggles sometimes with the foot, with the bone, probably.

“It’s been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders.

“Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end.”

City moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they came from behind to see off Championship side Plymouth with a brace from teenager Nico O’Reilly and a further strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

The competition offers Manchester City a chance to salvage something from a disappointing season, during which they have fallen out of Premier League title contention early.

Additionally, the team has already been eliminated from the Champions League.