Rodri could play for Manchester City before end of season, says Guardiola | Pep Guardiola

Rodri could be back in action before the end of the Premier League season according to the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage in September, returned to individual training this week. While Rodri has spoken optimistically of playing again this term, Guardiola has been far more cautious, suggesting it was not worth the risk even if possible.

Now it seems, however, that Rodri’s progress has exceeded expectations and he could feature again before the end of the domestic season and play a part at the Club World Cup in the summer. Guardiola said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited. But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and [suffer] steps back. It’s good but still he’s not close to coming back, I would say.

“But he’s touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy. I could not expect before [him to return] but maybe before the end of the season in the Premier League, maybe, it’s going to happen.”

On the downside for City, defender Nathan Aké looks set for another layoff after being forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Dutchman would join a casualty list that also includes fellow centre-backs John Stones and Manuel Akanji, both of whom are set to miss most of the rest of the season. Guardiola said: “We’ll do the test but he struggles sometimes with the foot, with the bone, probably. It’s been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders. Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end.”

City moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they came from behind to see off Championship side Plymouth with two goals from teenager Nico O’Reilly and a strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

Guardiola, however, is not happy with the characteristics of the balls being used in the cup, feeling they behave differently from those used in other elite events.

He said: “The ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but the ball is not [good]. You know how many shots went over the post? Not just Erling’s [Haaland] – look at other games.

“I’ve said it for many years. It’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League is exceptional, this one is not good.”