Man City get Rodri and Erling Haaland injury boosts as Pep Guardiola awaits 'green light' for return

Manchester City key players Erling Haaland and Rodri are both on the road to recovery before the end of the season

Simon Bajkowski Chief Manchester City writer

13:20, 25 Apr 2025

Erling Haaland and Rodri of Manchester City look on from the substitutes bench prior to the Premier League match between City and Aston Villa

Erling Haaland and Rodri are both sidelined but watched on from the dug-out as Manchester City took on Aston Villa

Rodri and Erling Haaland are both progressing in their recoveries from injury as they look to play for Manchester City before the end of the season. The pair have been missed while they have been sidelined, but are back training and feeling positive about their fitness.

Haaland hasn't played since injuring his knee in the FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth at the end of March, but has returned to individual training this week as he steps up his recovery. Pep Guardiola wants to be careful with is No.9 given it is not a straightforward injury, although he has been pleased that the striker is improving.

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"He feels better but I don't know when [he will be back]," said Guardiola. "It's not a comfortable injury, some twist in your ankle and knees.

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"He's not a small guy. He's getting better, so step by step. He has still not trained with the team and we'll see in the next days how it evolves."

Guardiola revealed that Rodri has been training with the team as he attempts to defy the original diagnosis on his ACL injury and return to action before the end of the season. While the midfielder has not been taking in every session with his teammates, when he has been working it has been with them to leave hope that he could make the FA Cup Final should City make it past Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

"Every training session he's doing with us so he's doing really well but I don't know," said Guardiola. "Rodri wants but the doctor will tell me if I have a green light to give him some minutes. I will rely on the doctors."

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Even without being on the pitch, Rodri has been a helpful figure for the last few months as he has been in the dressing room for games to pass on his advice before games and at half-time. There, he is giving tips that are better than what Guardiola can offer.

"I love it. I always say to the guys who don't play I allow them to be a manager," the coach said.

"The role of holding midfielder Rodri knows perfectly and he can help the guys there. It's the way we create teams where the guys who are injured or not playing can help the guys who are playing.

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"Everybody wants to enjoy next season in Europe so I like it."

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