Guardiola rues injury to ‘exceptional’ Rodri as Stones future stays in doubt

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola says former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will not be available for his side’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League on Tuesday and may not return until May because of a groin injury.

Midfielder Rodri was replaced by Nico Gonzalez in the 88th minute of City’s potentially crucial home win over leaders Arsenal on Sunday, making his 11th successive top-flight start after initially returning in January following a hamstring injury that blighted the first half of the season for the winner of the most prestigious individual prize in football in 2024.

“We cannot forget that we had 16 or 17 months without Rodri,” said Guardiola, adding that he is hopeful the Spain international could return against second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (17:15 BST).

“We also have an incredible player in [Mateo] Kovacic who has been out for [much of the season]. When that happens, it becomes more and more difficult to be more consistent and for the patterns to be better.”

Burnley vs Man City: How Guardiola will replace Rodri

City’s title defence nosedived last season after four-time Premier League champion Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in a home game against Arsenal in September, although navigating a trip to a Burnley side who are on the brink of relegation looks a more straightforward prospect for a side with the momentum in the title race.

Guardiola’s team will overtake Arsenal at the top of the table for the first time in more than 200 days if they win at Turf Moor, with Rodri and playmaker Bernardo Silva receiving ample praise for their parts in the 2-1 victory over the Gunners.

“They are really experienced and have huge personalities,” Guardiola said of the pair. “They are not young guys anymore.

“They have played a lot of these types of games and know how they must be played. They were exceptional, but not just [against Arsenal].”

Croatia midfielder Kovacic started the season recovering from an Achilles injury and has played three times in all competitions because of ankle surgery, featuring for the first time since October 21 with a brief substitute appearance during the 3-0 league win at Chelsea on April 12.

Guardiola suggested Rodri’s understudy against Arsenal and his squad’s attitude would help ensure City compensate for injuries.

“Nico Gonzalez, for example, has helped us a lot in Rodri’s absence to help us get to where we are now,” he said. “The [players’] body language has been in the right place for many, many months.”

Man City: Guardiola on Ruben Dias, John Stones contract

Guardiola said Ruben Dias will miss a fourth straight match in all competitions with an ankle injury and had no update on fellow defender John Stones’s contract situation.

A six-time English champion with the club, Stones could leave City after almost 10 years when his deal expires at the end of the season.

“The only thing I can say is he is back training with us,” Guardiola remarked of the England international. “This is the best news.”

The 31-year-old has missed much of the campaign through injury and remained an unused substitute in the league when he has been available in 2026.

Stones made the most recent of his four Premier League starts this season away to Aston Villa on October 26.

What’s next? Manchester City, Arsenal fixtures

With City in FA Cup action, Arsenal host 14th-placed Newcastle on Saturday (17:30 BST), when they will be able to reach the summit again if they are usurped on Tuesday.

City and Arsenal will have five Premier League matches remaining in 2025/26 after the Cityzens visit Burnley.

“Both teams know we cannot lose or drop points,” warned Guardiola, claiming City’s win over Arsenal has not eased the physical or mental pressure. “Our calendar is so demanding.”

Here’s how those remaining league games look for the title rivals.