Pep Guardiola press conference: Rodri and Ruben Dias fitness updates ahead of Everton trip

Everton vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Stats, Head to Head, How to Watch

An early Erling Haaland winner against Burnley saw Manchester City go top of the table last time out for Guardiola and co in the league – before Arsenal won narrowly against Newcastle United a few days later to regain their position at the summit, with the margins as fine as they’ve ever been in the title race.

What fitness concerns have Man City faced lately?

Rodri, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol remained absent for the Blues at Turf Moor as Guardiola introduced Rayan Ait-Nouri to the starting XI at left-back, allowing Nico O’Reilly to move into midfield alongside Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki.

City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month saw Rodri pick up a calf injury late on, with Nico Gonzalez starting and scoring a thunderous winner in the Blues’ 2-1 comeback FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton at Wembley last week.

Dias has been unavailable since he sustained a hamstring injury in the week leading to the Carabao Cup final in March, though that has not deterred Manchester City’s backline. Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi have formed a formidable partnership that has been the foundation of the purple patch Guardiola’s side have enjoyed in the last month or so.

Gvardiol continues to make his way back from a tibial fracture he suffered in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in January, with an expectation that the Croatia international could return to the pitch at some point of Manchester City’s Premier League and FA Cup run-in.

Guardiola hands Man City injury update for Everton trip

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Merseyside over the weekend, Guardiola has issued a wide fitness update on his side after a rare week devoid of cup football commitments.

Predicted Starting Line-Up: Everton vs Manchester City (Premier League)

“He’s getting better, still didn’t train with us so we’ll see (in) the next days,” said Guardiola on Rodri. Probed further on whether he is confident that Rodri will be okay, Guardiola added: “Always, I am confident”.

Guardiola confirmed that Dias is not in contention for Everton, however. “He’s not yet with the team but he’s getting better. Him, Josko (Gvardiol) and Rodri are better.”

This is a developing story. More to follow.