Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave the latest on Rodri and Nico O'Reilly after the Premier League win over Everton.
Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly
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Pep Guardiola is resigned to being without Rodri for at least another week as Manchester City wait on a fitness update for Nico O'Reilly.
Rodri had hoped to be fit for the Premier League game with Everton on Saturday, having sat out international duty to try and recover from the hamstring injury that he felt in the opening minutes against Brentford earlier this month. The Spaniard did not think the issue was big at the time, but the Blues are having to be cautious with his return.
There was no Rodri in the matchday squad for Everton after not training with the team, and Guardiola confirmed after the match that he will not be risked for upcoming games with Villarreal and Aston Villa either. That leaves a potential return date of Swansea in the League Cup towards the end of October.
"It's not long, but it's muscular and you have to be careful," the City boss said. "We've tried so many times, we've tried to not take a risk, but we have not been able to do that. So we will see."
City are also sweating over the fitness of Nico O'Reilly after the 20-year-old was forced off with a problem in the final minutes of the Everton game. O'Reilly had teed up Erling Haaland for the opening goal in another impressive performance as he made his eighth consecutive start for the team, but appeared in discomfort after leaping for a header and was substituted.
The left-back walked out of the Etihad on Saturday with a bandage on his knee, but Guardiola hopes that it is not a big problem as City prepare to fly to Villarreal for their Champions League game on Tuesday.
"I think it was a knock. We'll see. Hopefully it will not be dangerous," said Guardiola.
Three points in Spain will move City to seven after three games as they look to avoid the embarrassment of last year that saw them exit the competition at the play-off stage. Guardiola is focusing on the home games but knows that a couple of away victories will also be needed to give the Blues room to spare.
Dortmund visit the Etihad in two weeks in a game that will mark the halfway point of the first phase of the Champions League.
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