Pep Guardiola gives worrying Rodri injury update ahead of Man City vs Everton | Football

Rodri was forced to return off after just 22 minutes of Man City’s win over Brentford (Photo: Getty)

Pep Guardiola has given a worrying update on the fitness of Rodri ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash against Everton.

Following the international break, City return to motion on Saturday once they welcome the Toffees to the Etihad.

Victory could send the house side to the highest of the table but Everton shall be fired up for the match and would even move ahead of the Residents in the event that they got the three points.

Guardiola is grateful then to have several key players back from injury, namely forward Omar Marmoush and left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, while midfielder Mateo Kovacic continues to accumulate his fitness.

‘They trained yesterday and so they are much, a lot better. They’re near comeback,’ the manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

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‘Perhaps 50-60 minutes [for Kovacic]. He needs quality moment, quality time and quality minutes. It’s vital he’s back step-by-step.’

There was less excellent news surrounding key player Rodri who’s fighting injury niggles after recovering from his ACL issue that ruled him out for eight months last season.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Rayan Ait-Nouri has not played since August due to an ankle injury (Photo: Getty)

City are inclined to struggle within the absence of the defensive midfielder and fans were left frustrated after the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner hobbled off the pitch within the last game against Brentford.

Speaking after the 1-0 win in west London, Guardiola said this latest muscle injury was not serious and suggested Rodri might be back in time to face Everton or perhaps next week’s Champions League game against Villarreal.

But on Friday, the manager worryingly claimed he was none the wiser to the Spain captain’s availability, adding: ‘No news. He isn’t ready for tomorrow.

Brentford v Manchester City - Premier League
Pep Guardiola’s Man City are fifth within the Premier League (Photo: Getty)

‘I don’t know when he shall be back.’

City have a series of vital games on the horizon, not least a clash against title rivals Liverpool on November 9.

After a tough begin to the season, the Residents are seven games unbeaten in all competitions and currently sit fifth within the Premier League, three points behind leaders Arsenal.

“For the time being, I believe I even have the energy with my players to easily make a greater season than last season. That is my goal,’ Guardiola said.

‘I’m never sitting here initially of November and December and going to say we’re going to win this or that. I see things that we’re doing a lot better than last season and in every game, we’re a bit of bit higher.’

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