FA CUP
Manchester City latest team news: will Rodri play in the FA Cup this weekend?
Manchester City could be without their midfielder for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Huddersfield Town.
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has spoken ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Huddersfield Town this weekend.
City could be without Spanish midfielder Rodri for Sunday’s match with Huddersfield following the death of his grandmother.
The Spain international has been granted compassionate leave and is currently back in Madrid.
Guardiola confirms Rodri news
Guardiola says Rodri has not been fully ruled out but it appears unlikely that he will feature at the Etihad Stadium.
“Rodri, unfortunately, his grandmother passed away yesterday and he is in Madrid. Today and tomorrow he will not be here,” the Catalan tactician said at a press conference earlier on Friday.
“Hopefully he will come back for the game but, if he needs to stay, family issues are the most important thing.”
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been out of action for City since August but returned to the bench for last week’s Premier League win over Sheffield United and could play this weekend.
Guardiola has admitted he will be cautious with the Belgian midfielder and that he won’t change despite his latest setback.
“I would love him to play the way he did last eight years. He’s not going to change,” Guardiola said.
“The quality and potential is there. A big injury, concerned the most to try to avoid it. Be careful with minutes.
“[He will say] ‘I want to play’ but we have to be careful.”
He added: “Speak with him and with the physios and the guys who knows the best process for his minutes. Kevin needs to accumulate weeks with training sessions, weeks and minutes. Four, five, six sessions in a row.
“Minutes again, one day 90 minutes and training good. That’s the best for Kevin.”