Rodri selects doctor for knee surgery – Manchester City accept decision with return timeframe detailed | OneFootball

Manchester City have now accepted a decision taken by Rodri over the doctor that will lead surgery on his right knee, according to reports in Spain.

The Premier League champions confirmed earlier this week that their mainstay defensive midfielder had suffered a ligament injury to his right knee during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Having contested for a corner for Manchester City, marshalled by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, the Ballon d’Or contender fell to the ground in clear discomfort and immediately signalled for urgent medical attention and a substitution from the match.

A statement from Manchester City has since confirmed, “The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation this week, following initial tests in Manchester. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis.”

And a clearer timeframe as to when Rodri may return to on-field action for the club, as well as how long the recovery process could take, may emerge in the coming days, with surgery reportedly being undertaken this week.

That is according to the information of journalist Isabel Pacheco, who reports that Rodri will undergo surgery on his right knee on Friday, having recently travelled to Barcelona to take on further tests with Manchester City’s chosen specialist, Dr Ramón Cugat.

However, the latest information points out that the 28-year-old will be operated on by Dr Manuel Leyes in Madrid, with Manchester City having accepted the player’s decision to undergo surgery away from their usual specialist.

The report points out that Manuel Leyes is one of the go-to specialists that footballers turn to when sustaining knee injuries, with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Arda Güler, as well as Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino all having been treated by him.

While manager Pep Guardiola is now tasked with the challenge of sourcing a solution to a long-term absence for Rodri, the Catalan coach remains confident of Manchester City still having a successful season once again.

Speaking during a recent press conference, the 54-year-old told reporters, “We will find a solution [to Rodri’s absence]. We have alternatives and we’ll do it. When one player is irreplaceable, we have to do it as a team, and this is going to happen.”

Looking back on last season, Guardiola pointed out, “Three months without Erling [Haaland], five months without Kevin [De Bruyne], and we were there and we won the Premier League, despite many things.”

Among the potential solutions to Guardiola’s dilemma are Mateo Kovacic, who has excelled in the opening weeks of the season, as well as Rico Lewis and John Stones inverting from a right-back role, while Ilkay Gundogan is also more than capable for a supporting role.