Manchester, UK — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is pleased to have Rodri back in training but admits it’s uncertain whether the midfielder will feature in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17.
Rodri, 28, has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September. His absence has coincided with a drop in form that ended City’s streak of four consecutive Premier League titles, with Liverpool already crowned 2024/25 champions.
Although the Spanish international is now participating in training sessions, Guardiola stressed caution. “We are really pleased that Rodri is back,” he said on Thursday. “But the moment the physio and doctor say ‘Rodri can start to play minutes’, that’s when he’ll return. I’m not a doctor.”
Guardiola added that the injury typically requires 7–11 months of recovery and emphasised the risk of re-injury if rushed back. “One training session, then another, and when the doctor says he is stable and can start to play, he will.”
On the FA Cup final against Palace, Guardiola was non-committal about Rodri’s involvement: “I am not a doctor.”
Haaland Also a Doubt
Meanwhile, striker Erling Haaland is also unlikely to feature in Friday’s Premier League clash against Wolves. The Norwegian has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in March and has only recently resumed full training.
“He’s getting better,” said Guardiola. “But I don’t think so,” when asked if Haaland would play against Wolves.
Wolves, under new manager Vitor Pereira, come into the match on a six-game winning streak that has lifted them clear of relegation danger. Guardiola praised their quality and momentum, describing the encounter as “another final for us.”
Despite reaching a third straight FA Cup final and closing in on Champions League qualification, Guardiola remains critical of the campaign. “This season has not been good,” he said. “We are a thousand million points behind Liverpool.”
City currently sit fourth in the league, one point ahead of Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, who both have a game in hand.
