Rodri News: Not ready to start yet

Rodri is getting better since his return from injury and is being managed carefully by the staff, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference. "No. He's getting better. We can't forget it's almost nine months since the sad day what happened. It's an injury between 10 and 12 months [recovery]. It's a long injury. He's getting better and if he can play 20-30 minutes it'll be good. I know he wants to be there but we need to protect him."

Rodri is being protected by coach Pep Guardiola as he doesn't want to rush him back into the starting XI just yet following his return from a long-term knee injury. Rodri will gradually build his fitness back with improved minutes in each game and could play half an hour against Al-Ain on Monday. That said, when fully back fit, Rodri is expected to form a double pivot alongside Tijjani Reijnders for the Citizens.