Pep gives squad update ahead of Everton clash | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola doesn’t expect Rodri to be available to face Everton on Saturday as he gave a squad update ahead of the 15:00 (UK) kick-off.

The Spain international was forced off with an injury in the 1-0 victory over Brentford in our last game before the international break.

Rodri did not go away with his country and the boss is not expecting him to be part of the matchday squad for our clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Asked whether he will be involved, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. Not yet, [he’s] not ready for tomorrow.”

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Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have not been in the matchday squad since our game at Brighton at the end of August.

“They trained yesterday and are much better,” Guardiola said on their fitness. “They're close to being back.”

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During the international break, 14 members of our squad were called up to represent their countries.

Among them was Mateo Kovacic, who has yet to feature this season after an Achilles injury.

He was on the bench for our last two games and played for Croatia in their win over Gibraltar.

“He started 50-60 minutes, step-by-step,” the boss said. “He needs to give us quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. Step-by-step but it's important he’s back.”

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland continued his remarkable form with Norway, scoring a hat-trick in their 5-0 victory over Israel.

With 12 goals in the Premier League and Champions League already this season, the striker's phenomenal form has been remarkable.

"He feels really good, performance level not just in goals but many things," Guardiola added.

"Always what I said is it’ll drop, it’s impossible to stay there but we have this passion to help the team, and sustain in the bad moments.

"It’s really good of course for him and Norway, since 1998 is the last time, they’re one game away from going to the World Cup which for him and Norway is really nice and important."