Rodri in fitness race for Manchester City’s Premier League opener following groin setback | OneFootball

Manchester City are currently cautiously managing the recovery process of Rodri ahead of the new season following a minor setback during the FIFA Club World Cup.

The fitness of Rodri has become a growing concern for City in recent weeks, with the club’s medical staff carefully overseeing his rehabilitation programme after the midfielder sustained an issue during City’s disappointing Club World Cup last-16 exit to Al Hilal.

The injury marked a frustrating end to a difficult 2024/25 season for the Spaniard, who – despite being crowned Ballon d’Or winner in the Autumn – sustained a largely season-ending knee injury in September during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Rodri’s apparent absence from early full-team training sessions had raised alarm bells among supporters, especially with Manchester City’s tricky Premier League opener away to Wolves now fast-approaching.

This latest development also comes amid ongoing interest from Real Madrid, however City have remained firm in their position, and are preparing a lucrative contract extension that would make him the second-highest paid player in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Now, according to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Rodri has returned to light first-team training at the City Football Academy following a groin complaint in the FIFA Club World Cup last-16 defeat to Al Hilal.

It is detailed that the 29-year-old has been undergoing individual sessions with fitness coaches since returning to Manchester City’s training base off the back of his summer holidays, but played a part in team training earlier this week.

As such, there is now hope that the Spain international could return in time to be placed into consideration for City’s opening Premier League fixture away to Wolves at Molineux.

Manchester City officials remain hopeful that Rodri’s progress will continue uninterrupted in the days ahead, with the final decision on his involvement at Molineux likely to be made in the next 10 days.

Pep Guardiola has already indicated that he would rather delay Rodri’s return than risk aggravating the injury and losing him for a longer stretch, insisting upon the importance of caution during various press conferences in recent months.

Should Rodri be deemed unfit to start at Molineux, the manager may turn to the likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez at the base of his midfield – both of whom will be hoping to get their first full season at the Etihad Stadium off to a fast and impressive start.

Longer-term, all signs continue to point towards a fully fit Rodri being tied down to a new long-term contract in the coming months – one that would reaffirm his importance to Manchester City both on and off the pitch.