Pep Guardiola hands Rodri and Mateo Kovacic updates ahead of Newcastle test | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has delivered an update on his side’s fitness ahead of their Premier League meeting with Newcastle on Saturday evening.

City have enjoyed a fine few months of form that have catapulted the Blues to second place in the league table, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal ahead of their north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday.

Guardiola and co can hence cut the gap to Arsenal to just one point with a victory in the north-east on Saturday, though Newcastle are as difficult a test as they come in the Premier League despite their sluggish start to the 2025-26 campaign.

Comfortable wins at home against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool in their last two games mean Manchester City have momentum on their side as they progress deeper into the season following a major squad rebuild in the summer.

Nico Gonzalez has received huge plaudits for his effortless, commanding displays in holding midfield for the Blues this season as the pair of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Mateo Kovacic battle with injury woes.

Rodri has been hit and miss since his return to fitness after an ACL injury in May, with the 29-year-old ruled out of action against Newcastle by Guardiola, who will be very careful in managing the Spain international’s minutes.

City have seen Rodri pick up a series of recurring issues since May and with the Blues aiming to compete on all fronts this season, Guardiola and his coaching staff are expected to allow Rodri all the time he needs to properly rest and recuperate with a view of playing a larger role in the side come the second half of the season.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday morning, Guardiola delivered an update on his side’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s 17:30 UK kick-off against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. “Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri,” the Catalan said.

“Rodri is making steps good, it’s almost three weeks since his last setback. He knows he has to take time to recover well mentally and physically and to be consistent from now until the end.”

Kovacic has undergone surgery on his heel and is expected to remain out of action till February as the 31-year-old hopes to prove his fitness for the Croatia National Team in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As for Rodri, it is a matter of time and patience before Manchester City can truly begin to start relying once again on the first Ballon d’Or winner in the club’s history, with the 29-year-old having undergone the most difficult year of his career with injury.

City can ill-afford many more slip-ups in the closing months of 2025 as far as the title race is concerned and Guardiola will be keen on cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top of the tree to one point with a win on Tyneside on Saturday.