Erling Haaland and Rodri could both return to face Bournemouth on Sunday for Manchester City after being absent in the club's most recent game, claims Pep Guardiola.
Haaland was rested in midweek for City’s Carabao Cup visit to Swansea City after colliding with a post in last week’s defeat to Aston Villa, while Rodri has suffered frequent niggles since his long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury last season.
And despite there being some initial concern over the fitness of Rodri, the City manager hopes that he can feature, even if it’s not from the start.
Haaland and Rodri were absent for City's win over Swansea City on Wednesday (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“I think he will be ready to help,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us.”
“And 18 more players too. Everybody is desperate to play. He has been out a few times and we all know how important he is for us.”
On Haaland, Guardiola said: “Yes [he is ready to play].”
'Rodri can help a lot when he returns'
Rodri has only featured twice for City in October, against Monaco and Brentford in the Champions League and Premier League respectively, and, from the 810 minutes available, excluding additional time, from City’s top-flight fixtures, the former Ballon d’Or winner has only played 293.
His talent and positive impact is well-known at the club and when he gets back to his best, that influence will only increase the difficulty that clubs will find in beating Cit, according to Guardiola.
“I have the feeling when I think Rodri can come to his best but he can help us alongside the alternatives I can have," Guardiola said. "We will be a team that will be difficult for the opponents to beat us. This is what we want.”