- Rodri went off with a calf injury in the closing minutes of Man City’s 2-1 win vs Arsenal in April
- Spain international has played regularly since January as he approaches final year of current deal
- Pep Guardiola said midfielder’s fitness is ‘much better’ but Rodri has not travelled to Merseyside
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has not travelled to Merseyside for Monday night’s must-win Premier League meeting with Everton.
The 29-year-old went off in the dying minutes of City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium a few weeks ago and is yet to return to the pitch.
Nico Gonzalez filled in for the Ballon d’Or winner in Manchester City‘s late comeback win over Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley – as the Blues pursue a domestic treble in the final weeks of the season.
Confirmed Line-Ups: Everton vs Manchester City (Premier League)
Rodri missing from Everton matchday squad
Rodri has featured regularly since January after foregoing an injury-ravaged 18 months and the Spain international is expected to return to action sooner rather than later for Manchester City.
Ahead of Monday’s 20:00 UK kick-off between Everton and Manchester City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, FPL Maine Road has reported on X that Rodri has not travelled with his side to face David Moyes and co.
Manchester City enter the fixture six points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League table after the Gunners’ recent home wins over Newcastle United and Fulham – though Pep Guardiola‘s side have two games in hand.
What has Pep Guardiola said on Rodri’s fitness?
Guardiola said in his pre-Everton press conference that Rodri was ‘much better’ but the midfielder’s absence from the travelling squad underlines that City are being patient with his return, having seen the former Atletico Madrid man struggle for sustained fitness this term.
Manchester City are fighting tooth and nail with Arsenal for the Premier League title and will know they need to know all five remaining league games with as big a margin as possible to overtake Arsenal on goal difference – a metric that could decide the title race.
Rodri will be desperate to return to action at the earliest as the margins are too close for any slip-ups from City, who have made eight changes to the starting XI that avoided a late scare against Southampton in London last time out.
