Rodri Still Misses Training as Man City Fixtures Near Everton

Rodri had still not returned to Manchester City training ahead of the Premier League game against Everton on Monday night, leaving man city fixtures with a serious selection question in a match they know they must win. Manchester City could be without three players for that game, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol also sidelined.

Rodri And Everton

Guardiola said Rodri was improving, but the midfielder had not trained with the squad. "He's getting better. He still didn't train with us so we will see. I am always confident," he said.

The issue began in the closing moments of Manchester City's win over Arsenal, when Rodri suffered an injury. He was then ruled out of the Premier League trip to Burnley a few days later and missed the FA Cup semi-final with Southampton as well.

Dias And Gvardiol

Dias remained unavailable before the Everton match, and Guardiola grouped him with Rodri and Gvardiol when asked about the three players. "[Ruben] is not yet but he is getting better. Him, Rodri and Josko are better," he said.

That leaves City facing Everton with the possibility of missing a midfield anchor and two defenders at once, a problem made sharper by the fact that Rodri had started 11 consecutive league matches between January and April as City worked the title race into their own hands.

Stones In Final Weeks

John Stones also enters the final stretch in a different frame. He announced this week that he will leave City after 10 years at the Etihad, and Guardiola said he now feels fit and may be able to play more of a part in the final weeks of his City career.

For City, the immediate pressure sits on the Everton game. Rodri's return to training has not arrived yet, Dias is still not ready, and Gvardiol is still working back as Guardiola weighs how much he can trust his squad for a fixture that carries real weight in the title race.