We will be careful with Rodri, says Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says it will take time for Rodri to get back to his best after his midweek return to action.

The Spaniard was a second-half substitute during Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, receiving an incredible standing ovation from the Etihad Stadium eight months on from sustaining the knee injury that has kept him sidelined.

Now, City face a crucial final day trip to Fulham knowing that at least a point is required to guarantee Champions League football next season.

Speaking ahead of that one, Guardiola stressed the need for patience with our Ballon d’Or winner.

“We’re really pleased he's back, really pleased for the reaction for our people to him, I’m pretty sure he’s so pleased with that,” began Pep.

Fulham v City | Match preview

“There’s still a long way to be the Rodri he was.

“Guess will be next season we start to be Rodri not in the way like we have seen before the injury where he played 70 games every three days.

“It will take longer for that because the experience with this surgery is to be careful otherwise have muscular problems and this kind of stuff.

“But this is the first step for mind and knee still is not to see Rodri the way we know him.”

WATCH: Best Premier League moments at Fulham

Returning to the subject later in the press conference, Guardiola was asked whether we can expect to see Rodri play from the beginning at Craven Cottage.

“No, he’s not going to start. He’s not ready to start,” he said.

Meanwhile, there's positive news about the rest of the squad - with Guardiola confirming only John Stones and suspended Mateo Kovacic are unavailable to him.

"I think so, except John everyone else is fit," he said when pressed if he has a full group of players to choose from.

Fulham v City app coverage

Our official Man City app allows you to follow all of the action from London in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 14:45 (UK).

Nedum Onuoha and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown while our text commentary continues.

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Short highlights will be available from 19:45 (UK), whilst extended highlights and a CITY+ full-match replay can be accessed from midnight.