Man City still waiting on Rodri injury diagnosis

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the club are still waiting for doctors to confirm the severity of the injury sustained by key midfielder Rodri.

The 28-year-old Spain international was substituted in the 21st minute during City's 2-2 Premier League draw against Arsenal on Sunday after injuring his right knee.

Rodri appeared to twist the joint in a collision with Arsenal's Thomas Partey at a corner.

Asked to confirm whether he expects Rodri to be out for a "little while", Guardiola replied: "Yep.

"We are still waiting for the decision of the doctors, exactly what he has. When we know it, the club or myself, the spokesman of the club will announce it," the City boss said on Tuesday.

Rodri travelled to Spain on Monday for initial tests but further tests were required to discover the exact extent of the problem.

Named player of the tournament at Euro 2024 as he helped Spain lift the trophy, Rodri played a key role in helping City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.

He has lost just one match for club or country in the past 18 months, also winning the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City last season.

Since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, City have lost just 11% of the matches in which Rodri has featured, compared with 24% without the Spaniard.

Speaking after Sunday's match, Guardiola described Rodri as "the best holding midfielder in the world", and "a potential Ballon d'Or winner".

This month Rodri said winning the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - would be "a dream".

He played 63 times for City and Spain last season, and after missing the start of this campaign with a hamstring injury returned against Brentford two weeks ago.

Rodri claimed players are "close to" striking over an increase in the number of games in the calendar, with a new Champions League format adding at least two extra matches before the knockout stage, and the Club World Cup expanding to 32 teams.