Rodri Injury: Return handled with care

Rodri (groin) is nearing a return but the medical staff is handling his comeback with care, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference. "It's a difficult injury because they say that the year after, you always have some muscular problems, so we try desperately to avoid it but it's difficult to know exactly how many games and minutes he needs. He's desperate to play. We need his ambition, his personality, quality. He was named last season the best player in the world. That's why it's really important to have him back. To see him back in the locker room made me smile, he's so close. He's close to coming back for a few minutes then take one day rest. To read that is what is the most difficult to know what's best for him."

Rodri is being handled very carefully for his return to competition as it is very tough returning from an ACL injury which often creates muscular problems the following year. He is traveling with the squad for the season opener against Wolves and could see some minutes in the upcoming games depending on his sensations. Until the ballon d'or comes back to full fitness, Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva are expected to start in the midfield for the Citizens.