When Rodri will play for Man City after injury amid training return and Pep Guardiola admission
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been missing for the Blues since suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City supporters were handed positive news this week after footage of Rodri returning to training surfaced.
The Ballon d'Or winner was seen back on the grass taking part in an individual training session as he continues his rehabilitation. Rodri has been missing for the Blues since the draw with Arsenal where he suffered a cruciate ligament injury sidelining him indefinitely.
In his absence, City have struggled to fill the void and have crashed out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup. The Premier League title race is all but over with the Blues' last chance of silverware resting with the FA Cup.
After the update on his recovery, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at when City fans can expect their midfield maestro to return to competitive action.
Guardiola's admission
Submitting their Champions League squad before being eliminated by Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola chose to include Rodri meaning young defender and new signing Vitor Reis missed out on a place. Defending his decision, Guardiola explained that including the Spaniard was not automatically a sign that he would be able to return this campaign nor was there pressure for him to do so either.
"The rule is that we can just add three players. Vitor Reis unfortunately we cannot do it," he explained.
"I would love to add all four in the Champions League and then at the end Rodri could be there. I would love if we arrive in the last stages of the Champions League that he can help us but I will not put one second of pressure on.
"In my mind, it’s next season for Rodri but maybe he comes back earlier, that would be good for us."
Rodri's thoughts on his injury
The midfielder would make a surprise appearance at the Super Bowl last month and was quizzed by Sky Sports on his injury and how he has coped being off the pitch. "Well, I always say, it's part of life," he admitted.
"Injuries, athletes are used to these kind of things. But I'm a very positive guy in the sense that I take it what it is.
"I always thank God for everything and in these kind of moments try and be positive. And maybe do other stuff that I'm not used to doing, like coming here, spending more time with your family and why not try to improve other parts of your body, work on that and come back stronger."
Return verdict
Now City are no longer in the Champions League, it looks unlikely that the midfielder will be risked before the summer. A return during their pre-season tour seems the most likely and should hopefully allow Rodri to hit the ground running in 2025/26.