Manchester City have welcomed Rodri back into their travelling squad this week as they head to Paris for the UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Premier League champions travel to the French capital knowing that they simple must take points on the night to retain hope of securing a last-16 play-off place in the league phase of the competition’s opening round.
That fate has largely come as a result of the club’s last two results, falling to a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Sporting, throwing away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord, and losing 2-0 at Juventus on matchday six.
However, the lead-up to the fixture has seen City struck with a mixture of fitness and injury news, with the significant boost of John Stones’ return accompanied by news of a Jeremy Doku injury following a hugely impressive showing at Ipswich on Sunday afternoon.
The first-team contingent has now also been boosted by the returning presence of Rodri, it has now been revealed, following the return of Oscar Bobb to training alongside his teammates at the City Football Academy in recent days.
As revealed by the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Rodri has travelled with the Manchester City group to the French capital on Tuesday night while he continues his rehabilitation process from a serious knee injury.
While the Spaniard is firmly part of the City group and ongoing in his recovery process, the midfielder has ambitiously planned a return to action before the end of the ongoing season.
21-man Manchester City travelling squad vs PSG
Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Carson.
-Defenders: Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes, Max Alleyne, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol.
Midfielders: Jacob Wright, Nico O’Reilly, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden.
Forwards: Jack Grealish, Savinho, Erling Haaland.
Rodri has been very outspoken about his unwavering desire to play some role in Manchester City and Spain’s season, albeit during the final matches or weeks, despite initial scans indicating that the midfielder would require the entirety of the campaign out.
“Yes, yes, yes! Also, I know myself, I’m a person who recovers well, with positive mentality,” Rodri responded during a recent interview, when asked whether he sees himself playing again for club or country this season.
“They’ve said the issue of the head was very important in recovery,” he continued. “Everything is going very well. I want to play again this season… I don’t want to confirm anything, but my idea is to try to come back a little earlier than that. It’s in my head.”
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