Guardiola gives squad update ahead of Brentford | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of our Premier League clash with Brentford.

City were in Champions League action on Wednesday night when Erling Haaland scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Monaco.

Rodri missed the 5-1 victory over Burnley through injury but returned for the European clash, playing an hour against the Ligue 1 Club.

The boss said that he will be available for the game at the Gtech Stadium on Sunday at 16:30 (UK) although he says he is still being careful with his recovery following the knee injury that kept him out for much of last season.

Asked about the fitness of the squad, he said: "We train this afternoon but it looks good, no one left without a problem.”

And on Rodri, he added: “Rodri could not play three days before because his knee was in a bad condition.

"That’s why Nico in those [last] 30 minutes [against Monaco], he was the player that won more balls recovered, and we concede less in the transition, than when Rodri was playing in the first half.

“I’d love to tell you yes because Rodri wasn’t on the pitch we conceded the goal but I can’t prove that because if I felt it, Rodri would be on the pitch.

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"Rodri cannot play in certain moments and 90 minutes for many games and Nico played really good against Burnley and he’s learning and improving. We need him.

“Rodri can’t sustain yet the rhythm for games for 90 minutes, he made an incredible effort in the week with Manchester United, Napoli and especially Arsenal.

"I try to protect my players. Sometimes I want the best players there but I have to protect the players.”

Guardiola was full of praise for Nico, who was impressive in the holding midfield role against Burnley last weekend.

He says the Spanish midfielder is learning the role and adapting to life in the Premier League, just as Rodri had to in his first campaign.

And he added that was patience was key around the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner to ensure he gets back to his vry best.

"[Nico] is so young and of course even when Rodri started he struggled," Pep said.

"It’s normal, when you come to a new environment the problem is open but Nico is Nico.

"It has to be the talent for Nico because he can play more forward, in the early ages he played more forward at Barcelona. It has to be Nico.

"Rodri is an outstanding player, everyone knows it, maybe he struggled to understand it’s not about six months or 12, the World Cup will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri, this year is how to handle it.

"One year he has been out. The body changes, the rhythm changes, it’s a question of time, if he’s healthy he will be back."