Man City injury update: Rodri and Mateo Kovacic latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Question marks remain over two midfielders ahead of huge Champions League clash

Man City produced a clean sheet victory for the first time since early November on Saturday as they swept Sunderland aside at the Etihad, but the afternoon was undercut by the news that Rodri was still unable to play.

The Spaniard tore his ACL early last season and returned ahead of the Club World Cup, but has struggled to stay fit this season.

Pep Guardiola has given little away as to when he could return to the side for City.

As a huge Champions League clash away to Real Madrid looms, it remains to be seen whether the Ballon d’Or winner will come back into the fold.

Rodri

Rodri has played just one competitive minute for Man City since he picked up a hamstring injury against Brentford in October.

He had been on the comeback trail and came off the bench to make an agonisingly brief cameo at home to Bournemouth on November 2, and has not been in action since.

Speaking ahead of Man City’s thumping win over Sunderland, Guardiola gave a characteristically vague update on his condition.

Asked if the Spaniard was fit to start against the Black Cats, he said: “No, but he is getting better.”

Pressed as to whether he would be fit to face Real Madrid on Wednesday, Guardiola added the postscript: “Ask me in Madrid.”

Guardiola will hopefully provide a fresh update as to Rodri’s condition when he previews that titanic Champions League clash on Tuesday evening.

Potential return date: Wednesday, December 10 vs Real Madrid (A)

Mateo Kovacic

Mateo Kovacic had a slow start to this season after he went under the knife in the summer to correct an Achilles injury.

He seems to have suffered a setback on his road to recovery, though, failing to play for the club since making a half-hour cameo against Villarreal in the Champions League in late October.

He shared a photo on his Instagram page on December 3 from Man City’s training ground, balancing a football on his head while wearing a large protective boot on his right leg and using crutches.

Speaking recently, Guardiola said the Croatian was dealing with ‘calcification’ on his ankle.

"He will be out for a while. He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season."

Potential return date: Unknown