Pep Guardiola press conference: Rodri, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol fitness updates for Brentford clash | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola handed a fitness update on his side ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford.

The Blues will be looking to return to winning ways after succumbing to a damaging 3-3 draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night, a result that has dealt a serious blow to City’s hopes of winning the Premier League title.

Guardiola and co enter this weekend’s fixtures five points adrift of Arsenal with a game in hand and will be hoping that the Gunners’ upcoming opponents, West Ham, can hand them a monumental favour when the sides face off in east London on Sunday evening.

City are in pursuit of a domestic treble in the final weeks of the season, having lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley in March and set up an FA Cup final battle with Chelsea by coming from behind to beat Southampton in the semi-final a few weeks ago.

Man City’s fitness concerns for must-win Brentford clash

Rodri was absent from Manchester City’s matchday squad against Everton earlier this week despite travelling to Merseyside, meeting on-loan Toffees forward Jack Grealish in a heartfelt moment in the build-up to kick-off.

Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were also in attendance at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and the pair have returned to full first-team training this week after recovering from hamstring and tibial injuries respectively.

Crucially, Rodri did not train on Friday to raise doubts over his availability against Brentford, who enter Saturday’s contest off the back of an impressive 3-0 win over West Ham last week.

Antoine Semenyo started on the right wing for City against Everton after recovering from a fitness concern of his own, with the Ghana international expected to retain his starting spot against Keith Andrews‘ men on Saturday.

Guardiola hands Man City fitness update for Brentford

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Guardiola provided a thorough update on Manchester City’s fitness as they look to win each of their last four Premier League games of the season.

“We’ll see this afternoon,” said Guardiola on whether Rodri will be ready to feature against Brentford, indicating that a late decision will be made on the Spain international.

On how much City have missed Rodri since his calf injury against Arsenal, Guardiola added: “We have survived without him for many, many months; make a little bit problem of that.

“Still he doesn’t feel completely comfortable – and when he will be ready and fit to come back, we’ll see this afternoon – hopefully tomorrow (against Brentford).”

City threw away a one-goal lead against Everton this week and were all over the place in defence. Asked about the impact Rodri’s absence has had on the backline of late, Guardiola said: “It doesn’t depend on him.

“The goals we conceded (against Everton) were not dependent on Rodri not being there. The goals, we gave away, but not because Rodri was not there.”

On Gvardiol, Guardiola added: “Yeah, he’s good (to returning to the pitch), he’s training. He feels good, he has been out for many, many months. Last season, he was the important player for us when there were many injuries, played all the games.

“At the end, the body says in one moment ‘enough is enough’ – but yeah, (I’m) happy he’s back, you know, hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season and make a good (FIFA) World Cup with Croatia and next season, we can have him again at his best because he’s an important player.

“He’s a central defender, full-back; (he) can play different roles, so fast, so quick; really good to have him back; like Ruben (Dias) as well.”