TBR Football can exclusively confirm an exciting development from Manchester City sources involving Rodri.
Manchester City’s season has been below-par and Rodri’s long-term absence has played a role in the team’s struggles.
The Spain international has been out since last September, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
However, Rodri is on the road to recovery and returned to full training this week – and now, TBR Football can share when he could be back in action.
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Rodri hopes to play a part in FA Cup final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has revealed that City sources have told him Rodri could be back sooner than expected.
The original plan was for Rodri to return to action during the Club World Cup in June, but now it looks as though he could potentially be back this season.
Key to this is Rodri’s eagerness to play a part in what is likely to be City’s biggest game of the season – the FA Cup final on 17 May.
“I am told there is a real chance that Rodri is involved sooner than we thought,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“The initial plan was to get him back for the World Club Cup – that was and is the priority.
“They think him playing in that could set him up nicely for next season, but with a World Cup year too, they are wary of over-using him.
“That being said, I understand Rodri is itching to get back into action and there is one eye on the FA Cup final – what a game to come back for.
“He wants to be part of the KDB farewell celebrations, but he could very well be playing a bigger part than any of us thought.”
What Pep Guardiola has said about when Rodri could return
Guardiola recently spoke of how pleased he is to have both Rodri and Erling Haaland back in training after their respective injury lay-offs.
However, on the subject of when Rodri could return, Guardiola did not provide a timescale and said the club would be erring on the side of caution with him.
The City boss stressed that Rodri would not be risked until he is medically cleared to play by a doctor.
“We are really pleased that Rodri and Erling are back,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Wolves clash.
“The moment a doctor says he can start to play minutes, after that he will start to play minutes,.
“It has been a difficult injury, 7-11 months the doctors said. He feels really good making sessions but we have to avoid making a step backwards and injured again.
“One training session, another one, after that feel better. When the doctor says he feels better [he will play].”
