Rested: In-form Manchester City striker Erling Haaland returned early from international duty this week
The Spaniard limped off injured during the early stages of the 1-0 win at Brentford immediately before the international break.
Rodri confirmed afterwards that he had suffered a hamstring issue and subsequently withdrew from the Spain squad for their latest pair of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria, though tried to play down what he insisted was only a minor problem.
It is another setback for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who missed the majority of last season with a serious knee injury and has also dealt with further issues already this term.
Asked for an update on Rodri at his pre-Everton press conference on Friday, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “No news. He is not ready for tomorrow. I don't know when he will be back.”
Compatriot Nico Gonzalez replaced Rodri off the bench at Brentford and could deputise once more against an Everton team missing in-form City loanee Jack Grealish, who is ineligible to face his parent club.
Guardiola confirmed that Mateo Kovacic could be ready to play for around an hour in what would be his first club appearance of the season after returning from an Achilles injury by starting for Croatia against Gibraltar last weekend.
New setback: Rodri suffered a hamstring injury during Manchester City’s win over Brentford
“Maybe 50-60 minutes,” Guardiola said of Kovacic. “He needs quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. It's important he is back step by step."
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Omar Marmoush and summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri are also back in City training after respective injury problems, though it remains to be seen if either will be involved against Everton.
“They trained yesterday and they are much, much better,” Guardiola added. “They are close to a comeback.”
Centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov remains out for City with an ankle injury, though the ever-prolific Erling Haaland should have benefitted from some extra rest after his early return from international duty with Norway, which was not injury-related.
Predicted Man City XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Nico; Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Injured: Rodri, Khusanov
Doubts: Marmoush, Ait-Nouri
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday October 18, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester