Midfielder of Manchester City Rodri was able to make his long -awaited return for Pep Guardiola by the end of the month.
City has fallen apart since Rodri damaged his front crossbands against Arsenal in September and Guardiola says that the ruling balloon d'Or Holder is progressing well.
Rodri was on the Etihad for the FA Cup victory of City on Plymouth on Saturday evening and Guardiola says he had to put his time schedule for his recovery after he initially excluded him for the season.
“The fans must know that they are not the only ones who are enthusiastic,” said the city boss. “It is five months or six months ago and it can be after the international break.
“But we have to do it step by step. We don't have to make stupid decisions to come back early for weeks. It's good, but he is still not coming back close, I would say.
“But he touches the ball today, in the dressing room and touches touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels happy.”
City has struggled this season without the Spain International and Guardiola signed Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto to give the team more power in midfield.
But now Rodri, 28, can be aware of the time of the FA Cup-Semi-final on Wembley on April 26 and the Spain midfielder is the man for the great occasion, after he scored the only goal in the 2023 Champions League final to conquer the Treble.
A cautious Guardiola said: “I don't know, let's see if we deserve to get there and we're just in the quarterfinals.
“I could not expect him before the end of the season, not even the Club World Cup, but it might happen in the Premier League.”
Rodri is one of the three remarkable injuries that City struggles with next to John Stones and Manuel Akanji. Oscar Bobb has missed the entire season so far, but comes after a return.
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