The 29-year-old Spaniard, who claimed the 2024 Ballon d'Or award, continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during City's 1-0 victory over Brentford in early October. Rodri has made only a brief substitute appearance since the setback—a single minute against Bournemouth earlier this month—and has been absent for subsequent fixtures, including recent defeats to Everton and Aston Villa.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Guardiola provided a cautiously optimistic update on his key player's progress, stating, "He's not that far from returning." The City boss emphasized the need for patience in Rodri's rehabilitation, noting that while a return is imminent—potentially as early as early December—the club is prioritizing a full recovery to ensure long-term consistency. "Not long, not sure but not long," Guardiola added, underscoring the midfielder's ongoing process.
Rodri's absence represents a significant blow for City, who sit third in the Premier League table and are eager to rebound from their recent form dip. The team will also be without fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic due to fitness concerns, though several other players are returning to contention for the match against the struggling 18th-placed Whites.
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