Pep Guardiola says he does not know when Rodri will return from injury, with the midfielder ruled out of Manchester City’s trip to Fulham.
MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola said he is uncertain when midfielder Rodri will be fit enough to return to action.
The Spain international has been sidelined for much of the season with a hamstring issue, appearing for just one minute in City’s last 10 games.
Rodri has been ruled out of Tuesday’s Premier League trip to Fulham and is a doubt for Saturday’s home match against Sunderland.
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“No, not yet,” Guardiola said when asked at a brief press conference if Rodri was available.
Asked if the 29-year-old could feature at the weekend, Guardiola said: “I don’t know.”
The manager also commented on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who received his fourth booking of the season in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Leeds.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke accused Donnarumma of feigning injury to allow Guardiola to deliver a team talk, with the Italian now one yellow card from a suspension.
“Yes, he has a lot (of bookings), he has many,” said Guardiola. “It is what it is.”
Guardiola was more expansive in his praise for Fulham manager Marco Silva ahead of Tuesday’s match at Craven Cottage.
“Marco is many, many years there and always (when we) have been there — really, really tough games, difficult,” said Guardiola.
“The organisation is exceptional and every year I have the feeling that with the ball, they are better and better. Tough, tough opponent.”
He added that he had watched Fulham’s recent matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and Sunderland.
“Always it’s so, so difficult for the opponents to break them up. It has always been like that in this beautiful stadium in London.” – AFP
