Liam Duckstein
Manchester, May 1st — Manchester City have received a significant double injury boost with the return of Rodri and Erling Haaland to training, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola in Thursday’s press conference.
Rodri Nears Comeback After Long-Term Knee Injury
Spain international and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was spotted on the training pitch for the first time since his serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last September. His absence has loomed large over City’s campaign, with many pointing to his absence as a key factor in their faltering Premier League title challenge.
Although his return comes late in the season, Guardiola emphasized caution:
“The moment the physio and doctor say that Rodri can start to play minutes, he will start to play minutes. But the doctors have to tell me,” said Guardiola.
The midfielder is being closely monitored by the club’s medical staff. Guardiola revealed that the expected recovery timeline ranged between seven and eleven months:
“He feels really good, every day he’s making sessions and sessions, but we have to make the step to avoid making a step backwards and being injured again.”
Haaland Also Back, But Likely to Miss Wolves Clash
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has also resumed training after recovering from an ankle injury suffered during City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth in March. The 24-year-old has missed five league games and last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final win against Nottingham Forest.
Although he’s back on the grass, Guardiola noted that Haaland is unlikely to feature in Friday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Premier League Stakes Rise with Four Matches Left
City currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 61 points from 34 matches, locked in a heated battle with six clubs for Champions League qualification. With the top five guaranteed entry into next season’s competition, every point is crucial.
Wolves Threat Looms
Next up: an in-form Wolves side riding a wave of six straight victories. Guardiola respects the challenge ahead:
“I’m not surprised. In the last few years, I think they have always had really good players, and now they’ve had an incredible run,” he said.
Drawing comparisons to tough recent encounters against Newcastle and Aston Villa, Guardiola made City’s mission clear:
“It’s another final for us. We have four finals, and now we go for the first one.”
Conclusion
Rodri and Haaland’s return to training offers Manchester City a much-needed boost as they fight for a top-four finish. While neither may be rushed back for Wolves, their presence could be decisive in the final stretch of the season.
Stay tuned for lineup updates and betting odds as matchday approaches. Want to capitalize on insider team news? Explore our betting strategies for this weekend’s Premier League action.