.jpeg?trim=136,0,136,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
Manchester City return to Premier League action on Saturday with the shadow of Rodri’s absence hanging over the champions.
The midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury in last week’s dramatic draw against Arsenal and will be out for an extended period of time, although City have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the issue and how long he will be missing.
Guardiola said in midweek that he will have to find ‘the solution’ without his talisman at the base of midfield, and it’s likely the Catalan will have to rejig his system to accommodate for Rodri’s period on the sidelines.
Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United will be the first test and there are several options available for Guardiola. Ilkay Gundogan could be deployed in that role, as could Mateo Kovacic or Rico Lewis. Other alternatives include John Stones, Matheus Nunes or Nico O’Reilly, while City changing their entire shape remains an option.
The answer will become clear over the coming months, but Saturday’s team selection is complicated further by the possibility that Kevin De Bruyne is unavailable. The Belgian hasn’t played since the 0-0 draw against Inter Milan and is a doubt heading into the game.
De Bruyne had a notable cameo on his last trip to Tyneside, when he scored and provided an assist in a 23-minute appearance in January that saw City come from a goal down to secure a crucial three points.
But De Bruyne and Rodri aren’t City’s only injury concerns ahead of the weekend - we’ve listed every possible absentee and their potential return dates below…
1. Nathan Ake (Possible return - 20 October)
Guardiola said the defender won't be back until after the international break, although he hasn't been asked for an update in the last two weeks.
2. Kaden Braithwaite (Possible return - 28 September)
The 16-year-old made his City debut on Tuesday against Watford and was replaced in the latter stages with a knock. Even if fit, he might not be selected in Saturday's matchday squad.
3. Rodri (Possible return - 2025)
Guardiola could confirm the exact nature of Rodri's knee ligament injury on Friday, with the midfielder likely to be out for several months at the very least.
![The Belgian has missed the last two with an injury but could be back this weekend. " I don’t know [for] Newcastle but it will not be [a] long [absence]," Guardiola said last week, and he'll likely provide an update on Friday.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/09/19/10/55/GettyImages-2169643327.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Possible return - 28 September)
The Belgian has missed the last two with an injury but could be back this weekend. " I don’t know [for] Newcastle but it will not be [a] long [absence]," Guardiola said last week, and he'll likely provide an update on Friday.