Man City sent blunt warning over Rodri injury return: ‘It’s not worth the risk’

Manchester City have been told that bringing Rodri back from injury before the time is right could be a huge risk as the outgoing champions continue to struggle without him

Manchester City have been warned that rushing Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri back before the end of the season would be a huge risk.

Rodri has been sidelined since September after rupturing a cruciate ligament against Arsenal but is progressing well with his recovery. City even named the Spaniard in their squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League – only to see their hopes of reaching the last 16 ended emphatically by Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola would love to have his powerhouse enforcer back for the Club World Cup in June. But top football injury analyst Ben Dinnery reckons bringing Rodri back during the current Premier League season would be a gamble.

Dinnery said: “Hearing Rodri is in the conversation to return before the end of the season isn’t a surprise, but I can’t see him making a return this season.

“If he does return, I wouldn’t expect more than a bit part role where he gets the odd cameo off the bench – the risk of exposing him any more than that isn’t worth it. If you look at the typical recovery time for ACL injuries, we talk around that nine-to-10-month period.

“Of course, that’s just a guide and it can vary based on the player and the type of ACL injury as not every case is the same. We’ve seen cases where the ACL injury is done in isolation where the damage is focused on that anterior ligament joint, the chances of recovery can be expedited.

“What is clearer is that any player who plays within that nine-month period is at risk of suffering a reinjury – and the risk level is reduced by 50% month on month after that nine-month period. So it’s a calculated risk bringing a player back early in that type of recovery.”

City are fighting to finish in the top four after falling off the pace in the title race spectacularly after Rodri was injured. The Blues meet Plymouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. City spent £50million bringing in Spaniard Nico Gonzalez from Porto last month in a bid to fill the midfield void.

Dinnery, talking to gambling website BetIdeas, said: “Rodri’s absence from the City squad has been clear, but with no Champions League football and the safe assumption that they won’t be battling for the Premier League title this year, there isn’t a whole lot to play for.

“Pushing for Europe is imperative, but they should be able to do that with the squad Pep Guardiola’s assembled without Rodri. In my mind the focus will shift to next season, with a view to that summer programme in preparation for the 2025-26 season.”

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