PEP GUARDIOLA is ‘excited’ by Rodri’s progress — and now believes the Ballon d’Or winner could return THIS season.
And that means Manchester City may have their man for the big occasion back if they secure a return to Wembley in May’s FA Cup final.
ReutersMan City midfielder Rodri is now tipped to play this season[/caption]
GettyBoss Pep Guardiola knows how much City have missed Rodri[/caption]
The Spaniard has been sidelined since he ruptured a cruciate ligament in September against Arsenal in his first Prem game of the season.
Guardiola initially ruled the midfielder out for the rest of the campaign — and suggested he would struggle to make the expanded Club World Cup in June and July.
But City posted footage of Rodri going through individual training on Friday.
And he was in the dressing room for Saturday’s win over Plymouth.
That had supporters anticipating the ex-Atletico Madrid man’s return, and Guardiola admitted his progress has been quicker than expected.
He said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones excited.
It’s been 5½ months, six months, so after the international break it could be. But one step at a time — we don’t have to make stupid decisions for him to come back weeks earlier.
“It’s good — although he’s not close to coming back, I’d say. But he’s been touching the ball, he’s been in the locker room. He feels confident, he’s more happy.
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“I could not expect before for him to return before even the Club World Cup.
“But now in the Premier League season, maybe it’s going to happen.”
Rodri has made a habit of scoring key goals for City, none more than the winner in the 2023 Champions League final.
He has a month before the international break and after that there will be nine games left of City’s Prem campaign.
Their only hope of domestic silverware this term is the FA Cup — with the semi-finals on the weekend of April 28 and the final three weeks after that.
That gives midfield linchpin Rodri, 28, something to aim for in his recovery.
The Prem ends on May 25 but City’s stars will be back around June 12 to head to the US for the Club World Cup.
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