Man City drop huge Rodri return hint as star set for Champions League role
Rodri has been out injured since mid-September following his ACL rupture but the Manchester City and Spain midfielder could be back in action much sooner than expected
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorRodri is set to be a surprise inclusion in Manchester City's squad for the Champions League knockout phase.
Spanish midfielder Rodri, 28, has been sidelined since the middle of September, having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during City's dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner also damaged his meniscus and was expected to miss the remainder of this season.
But Rodri has made exceptional progress in his recovery, giving him a chance to play again before City's campaign comes to an end. Boss Pep Guardiola has left the door open to an early return and the Sun report that City are planning to name Rodri in their updated squad for the Champions League knockouts.
Also included will be January signings Omar Marmoush, Victor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, who've cost the Premier League champions a combined £128million. City need reinforcements, too, having endured a nightmare end to 2024 and difficult start to the new year.
Guardiola's side only finished 22nd in the Champions League table, with a 3-1 win at home to Club Brugge on Wednesday securing a place in the knockout play-offs - where they'll face a European giant. City will either play Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a bid to reach the round of 16, with the draw taking place at 11am on Friday.
Clubs who've reached the knockout play-offs or qualified for the last 16 directly have until Thursday, February 6 to confirm their squads. Rodri is extremely unlikely to feature against Madrid or Bayern but he's always been confident of returning this season, especially given that City will be part of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the USA this summer.
Will Manchester City recover and win the Champions League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
In an interview with Spanish outlet Cadena Ser after winning the Ballon d'Or, Rodri revealed: "There is the information that the surgeon gives you, who wants everything to go well and it extends up to 10 months or so. I'm trying to set a date for myself.
"For reasons of my mind, I'm trying to finish this season... Every year they are longer and I think I will make it. I don't know how much I will be able to participate, but with the Nations League and Club World Cup at the end, June-July, I think so."
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