Overview
- Guardiola said bringing Rodri back early lengthened his recovery and stressed it as a lesson in respecting individual timelines.
- Rodri is still short of his best, according to Guardiola, but his mood, training and performances are improving.
- The 29-year-old suffered additional problems, including a Club World Cup hamstring injury and a stretch of stop‑start availability.
- With his contract expiring next summer, Guardiola said he would “love desperately” to keep Rodri and urged director of football Hugo Viana to agree a new deal.
- Rodri has returned to recent league lineups and is expected to feature at the Etihad against Newcastle on Saturday evening.