Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a concerning update on the fitness of key midfielder Rodri, admitting he cannot put a timeline on the Spaniard's return to action.
Rodri's Persistent Fitness Struggles
The 29-year-old Spain international, who missed a large portion of last season with a serious knee injury, has suffered a troubled comeback. A subsequent hamstring problem has limited him to just a single one-minute appearance in City's last ten matches across all competitions.
Rodri has been officially ruled out of City's Premier League trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night. Furthermore, Guardiola has cast significant doubt over the player's availability for the following weekend's home fixture against Sunderland.
Guardiola's Brief and Moody Press Conference
Speaking during a notably short press conference with broadcast media on Monday lunchtime, which lasted little more than two minutes, Guardiola offered minimal insight. When directly asked if Rodri was available for selection, the manager replied bluntly, "No, not yet."
Pressed on whether the influential midfielder could feature against Sunderland, Guardiola simply stated, "I don't know." The manager later held a longer briefing with written journalists, but the uncertainty surrounding Rodri's recovery remained.
Donnarumma Nearing Suspension
Guardiola did briefly address another issue, concerning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's disciplinary record. The Italian received his fourth yellow card in a Manchester City shirt during the dramatic late win over Leeds United on Saturday.
Donnarumma is now just one booking away from an automatic one-match suspension. Leeds manager Daniel Farke had also accused the goalkeeper of feigning injury during that match, an incident which allowed Guardiola to deliver a crucial team talk.
When questioned about the mounting cautions, Guardiola acknowledged, "Yes, he has a lot, he has many. It is what it is." He confirmed he had not spoken to the player specifically about the matter.
Praise for Fulham and Marco Silva
Guardiola was considerably more forthcoming when discussing Tuesday's opponents, Fulham, and their manager Marco Silva. He warned his team to expect a severe test following Fulham's impressive recent victory away at Tottenham Hotspur.
"Marco has been there many, many years and it is always really, really tough games for us there," Guardiola said. "Their organisation is exceptional and every year I feel they are better and better with the ball. They are a tough, tough opponent."
He added that he had analysed their recent performances against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Sunderland, concluding: "It is always so difficult for opponents to break them down. It has always been like that in this beautiful stadium in London."
The continued absence of Rodri, a pivotal figure in City's midfield, represents a significant setback as the champions navigate a busy period. Guardiola's vague timeline suggests the club are taking a cautious approach with a player whose recent history with injuries is becoming a growing concern.
