Manchester City have welcomed Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias back into training, but could be without Rodri for yet another critical Premier League game. The Spaniard has been sidelined since the Arsenal match in April and remains a doubt to be fit in time for the Brentford game.
Gvardiol has been out since the Chelsea game in early January, while Dias picked up a knock during the week of the Carabao Cup final in March. City will be more concerned about Rodri, however, as they look to reintegrate their Ballon d’Or winner back into the lineup.
He was absent at the start of Thursday’s training session and will be assessed on Friday to determine whether he can feature in any capacity, as per the Manchester Evening News.
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Rodri suffered a hamstring injury early in the season at Brentford -Credit:Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
“He made a little problem and still he doesn’t feel completely comfortable,” said Guardiola. “When he will be ready and fit and come back, – this afternoon, hopefully – he will come back. We will see this afternoon.”
It was following the reverse fixture against Brentford that Rodri was forced into an extended spell on the sidelines. The midfielder pulled up after just 20 minutes in West London and managed just three minutes of action over the subsequent two months as he took additional time out to prevent further setbacks.
That decision allowed him to start 11 consecutive Premier League matches in 2026 as his partnership with Bernardo Silva helped City surge into title contention. However, the Blues have faltered without Rodri since he sustained an injury late in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal last month.
There was more positive news regarding Gvardiol, considering the length of his absence. Guardiola is optimistic that the defender can return before the season concludes as he works toward regaining his top form.
“He’s good, he’s training, he feels good – it’s been many months [out],” he said. “Last season he was one of the important players for us with many injuries, he played all the games. And at the end the body says in one moment, ‘enough is enough.’
“But I’m happy he’s back, hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season and make a good World Cup with Croatia and next season, we can have him again at his best.
“He’s an important player; central defender, full-back, can play different roles, so fast, so quick – really good to have him back, like Ruben as well.”
