Man City: Pep Guardiola offers fresh Rodri injury update with verdict on Club World Cup involvement | OneFootball

City will attempt to defend their Club World Cup crown in the United States when the tournament starts on June 14

Cautious approach: Man City do not want to risk any setbacks in Rodri’s recovery

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Pep Guardiola has insisted Manchester City will take no risks with Rodri’s return from a long-term injury.

The midfielder has been out since suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal in September and in his absence City have struggled significantly, exiting the Champions League in the play-off round and finding themselves in a battle just to finish in the top four in the Premier League.

Rodri suggested earlier this season he was eyeing a potential return in time for the Club World Cup, which will take place over a month in the summer, starting on June 14.

The 28-year-old has returned to individual training, but the Man City boss was cautious on Rodri’s progress when asked if he expected to have the midfielder available for the tournament in the United States at the end of the season.

“I don’t know,” Guardiola said.

“Listen, it would be nice if he played tomorrow but don’t do a wrong decision right now and make a step back.

Rodri has been out with an ACL injury since September

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“The injury, the doctors said seven months, eight months. [We’ve] arrived at six months so he’s behaving on the pitch really well already. But competition is completely different.

“We will see, step by step. I rely a lot on his word but what the doctors say, what his physio says. Not to say ‘target [Club] World Cup’ and after we’re going to lose you for many, many months again.

“We have to be sure that he’s fine and after he’ll be involved.”

It was announced this week that the winners of the Club World Cup are in line to take home almost £100m in prize money.

The tournament offers City, who are the defending champions, hope of putting a frustrating season to bed on a high note, but Guardiola does not want to see he or his players see any of that money, even if they do lift the trophy.

“We don’t deserve it this season,” Guardiola said. “We don’t deserve bonus this season.

“The bonus if we win, I don’t know. It’s for the club. The manager, the staff, the backroom staff, the players, we don’t deserve. Not even a watch.”