Pep Guardiola hands worrying Rodri fitness update ahead of FA Cup final against Chelsea

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Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley now represents not only one of the most significant games of City’s season but potentially Rodri’s best remaining opportunity to feature before it ends – with the FIFA World Cup also on the horizon.

I don’t know if Rodri can face Chelsea, admits Pep

Asked directly in his post-match press conference on Wednesday night if Rodri would be available for the FA Cup final, Guardiola offered no assurances.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. We’ll see in the next days,” the Catalan said.

Guardiola is likely to conduct a light training and recovery session on Thursday before he and his players travel to London on Friday ahead of Saturday’s final at Wembley.

A more concrete update on Rodri’s availability is expected when Guardiola previews the FA Cup final with the press on Friday afternoon.

What would Rodri’s return mean for City?

The Spaniard’s absence has been felt across the run-in, though Guardiola was careful earlier this week to push back on the narrative that City cannot function without him, pointing to Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva as players who have stepped up admirably in his absence.

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For a player of Rodri’s calibre however, a FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley would represent the ideal stage for a return and City will do everything in their power to have him available.

Whether that proves possible in the space of a few days remains the defining fitness question of Manchester City’s season.