Pep Guardiola hands Rodri injury update after Burnley absence following Arsenal calf injury

Why Rodri missed Man City win vs Burnley

Rodri sustained what was initially suspected to be a groin injury but what has later emerged to be a calf issue in the closing minutes of Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The 29-year-old has played regularly since January after foregoing a series of injury-ravaged spells on the sidelines in the last 18 months that have coincided with him approaching the final 12 months of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola admitted ahead of the trip to Burnley he was unsure as to when the Ballon d’Or winner could be recalled as Manchester City fans expected to see Nico Gonzalez called upon in the middle of the park against Scott Parker and co.

However, it was academy graduate Nico O’Reilly who moved into midfield alongside Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki as Rayan Ait-Nouri started at left-back against a deep-lying Burnley side who were relegated to the EFL Championship as a result of their narrow loss on Wednesday night.

Guardiola issues fresh Rodri fitness update

In a press conference after his side returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since their 4-0 away win over Wolves on the opening day of the season, Guardiola was asked for an update on Rodri’s fitness.

Rodri ruled out of Burnley clash as Pep Guardiola provides Ruben Dias and John Stones update

“I don’t know yet. We’ll see day by day, we will see,” the Catalan said as it remains to be seen whether Rodri will be fit for Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Southampton on Saturday.

City need to go on a perfect winning run in the Premier League to avoid any mishaps in the title race, having exceeded expectations in closing down Arsenal’s healthy lead at the top of the table to put themselves in the driving seat of what will be a seventh league title win for the Blues under Guardiola.

Guardiola called Gonzalez on from the bench at Turf Moor and having admitted he had doubts over his team selection against Burnley after Wednesday’s win, the 55-year-old could shuffle his pack at Wembley with one eye on next week’s tricky league trip to Everton.