Guardiola provides Rodri injury update ahead of Burnley fixture

Pep Guardiola has eased concerns over Rodri’s fitness, insisting the midfielder is unlikely to miss the remainder of the Premier League season, though he will sit out Manchester City’s trip to Burnley on Wednesday.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner played a key role in City’s crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal but was forced off late on with a groin issue.

Guardiola confirmed the Spain international is not expected to be fit for the Turf Moor encounter, where City could go top of the table.

“I think for tomorrow he will not be ready,” Guardiola said. “We’ll see for the next games, the semi-final against Southampton or against Everton.”

City face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend before a 12-day gap leading into their next league fixture against Everton, offering Rodri valuable recovery time.

The 29-year-old’s resurgence after an injury-hit spell has been central to City’s title charge, forming a dominant midfield partnership with Bernardo Silva.

“Both are experienced, they have a huge special personality,” Guardiola added. “They have played a lot of these types of games and know how it must be played. They were exceptional.”

Despite the momentum, Guardiola remains cautious, noting the challenge of a demanding run-in that includes tricky away fixtures against Everton and Bournemouth.

“Both teams know we cannot lose or drop points,” he said. “It will be difficult to recover, and our calendar is so demanding. The opponents are really tough.”