Pep Guardiola press conference: Rodri, Erling Haaland and Abdukodir Khusanov updates ahead of Swansea City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Swansea City.

City’s unbeaten streak came to a halt at nine games in all competitions on Sunday as Matty Cash’s 19th minute strike from distance proved to be the difference between a resolute Aston Villa side and a lacklustre Manchester City group at Villa Park.

Guardiola started John Stones in defensive midfield at the weekend – an experiment that has paid dividends in the past – but a lack of legs in the middle of the park was a key Achilles heel for the Blues in Birmingham.

There is little time to dwell upon the defeat as Guardiola and co roll up their sleeves for a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Swansea City in Wales – with a run of tricky domestic and UEFA Champions League fixtures looming against Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Abdukodir Khusanov – who has not been in action since he suffered an injury in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of September – returned to Manchester City training in the days leading to Sunday’s loss but did not travel with the squad to Birmingham.

Guardiola has been handed another massive personnel boost ahead of a testing fortnight of games, with Ballon d’Or winning midfielder Rodri back in training ahead of Wednesday’s cup tie – after recovering from a hamstring issue sustained in a 1-0 win away at Brentford at the beginning of the month.

Manchester City have turned a corner since their early season slump and despite a minor setback against Aston Villa on Sunday, Guardiola’s men have momentum on their side as they look to challenge on all fronts this term in the backdrop of a subpar and trophyless 2024-25 campaign.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Guardiola provided an update on his side’s fitness ahead of their Carabao Cup commitments in Wales on Wednesday evening.

Khusanov is ready to get some minutes in the locker against Swansea City, Guardiola confirmed. “Khusa (Khusanov) is ready to play a few minutes tomorrow,” the Manchester City manager said on the Uzbekistan international.

Guardiola was quizzed about Erling Haaland’s fitness after the Norwegian suffered a nasty collision with the goalpost in the second-half against Aston Villa on Sunday. “Erling, I didn’t see him today but (it) was a knock and day by day, he’s better. Now we’ll train this afternoon and know exactly how does he feel,” Guardiola said on Haaland.

Rodri is not ready to make his return yet, Guardiola added. “(Rodri) still is not ready. Getting better, training with us partially but of course, after what happened two times with his muscular injuries, we’re going to see how he evolves this week, I would say,” Guardiola said on Rodri.

When asked on whether he has an idea on when Rodri could return to the pitch, Guardiola added: “No, hopefully soon but not yet.”

Guardiola has hinted that Haaland is likely to be rested against Swansea City as Manchester City embark upon a difficult run of games, citing the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash as the perfect chance to give the Norwegian a much-needed rest.

In defence, Rayan Ait-Nouri could be set for his first start since he went off injured against Tottenham in August. “He’s ready. He’s fit and ready, available,” Guardiola said on the £31 million summer signing from Wolves.

Guardiola is set to shuffle his frontline in Wales and that could see Omar Marmoush – who came off the bench against Aston Villa at the weekend – get a start. “Omar (Marmoush) had a long injury and step-by-step played a few minutes in the last game and his impact in movements in-behind, close to the box – Omar is exceptional,” Guardiola said.

City fans could also be in line to see Kalvin Phillips back in action, with the 29-year-old midfielder making his last appearance in the Carabao Cup third-round win over Huddersfield. Though he is unlikely to start, Phillips will ‘maybe’ travel with the Manchester City squad to Wales for the cup tie.