City handed a major boost as Rodri takes significant next step in his recovery

Manchester City received a big boost after Rodri returned to individual training after a long spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder has been an absent in the long term after a front cruciate ligament injury in the 2-2 draw with Arsenaal in September.

It was expected that the Spain International – and reigning balloon d'Or winner – would miss the rest of the campaign.

Earlier this year, City indicated that Rodri was able to return for that time by registering the midfielder in their Champions League team for the last phases of the campaign before he left the competition properly in the last 16 play-offs.

The 28-year-old resigned his recovery this week when he was placed on Friday by running and football exercises on a Friday.

Rodri spoke with Sky Sports during Super Bowl last month and said about his injury: 'Well, I always say, it is part of life. Injuries, athletes are used to things like this.

'But I am a very positive guy in the sense that I am taking what it is. I always thank God for everything and try to be positive in these moments.

“And maybe other things that I am not used to do, such as coming here, spending more time with your family and why do not try to improve other parts of your body, to work on them and to come back stronger.”

When he interviewed how he feels to view the games on the sidelines, the defending midfielder added: 'No, I was not in good shape. You are more nervous, you cannot determine what is going on.

“But yes, I try to support my team from outside, give them my vision and help them.”

In the absence of Rodri, City has fallen to fourth place in the Premier League table, 20 points behind leaders Liverpool.

The side of Pep Guardiola was also beaten in the play-offs by Real Madrid from the Champions League.

Given Rodri's serious injury, the city drew the former Barcelona Academy player Nico Gonzalez from Porto for a fee of £ 50.2 million.

City will still be hunting for silverware this season prior to hosting the Plymouth championship struggle in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.