Rodri in huge Man City injury boost as Ballon d'Or winner sends message to Vinicius Junior

Manchester City midfielder Rodri admits he could return this season in a major boost for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Spanish international underwent surgery on a serious knee injury suffered against Arsenal in September and was expected to miss the entire campaign as a result.

While City initially appeared to deal with the midfielder’s absence reasonably well, things have stalled since.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton condemned Guardiola to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in his illustrious managerial career. The Premier League champions are five points behind leaders Liverpool and Guardiola has admitted: “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.”

Since the start of last season, City have won 74% of the games in which Rodri has played. Without him, the record slumps to 58% - which perhaps helps explain his Ballon d’Or victory last month.

Though the former Atletico Madrid star is undoubtedly facing a lengthy spell out on the sidelines, Rodri did hint at a return this season.

“I feel I can return already this season, yes,” he told COPE.

“It’s possible and I can make it happen”. I’m recovering now, no pressure, it’s important to recover in the best way”.

“But the season is long, there’s the new Clubs World Cup, I can do it.”

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory was dominated by controversy after Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony when news broke that Vinicius Junior had been overlooked.

Still, the City star insists he did not feel offended by that, revealing: “If the Real Madrid team doesn't come it must be for a reason, but I wasn't hurt that Vinicius wasn't there”.

“Why would I be hurt?”

City are back in action when they host Tottenham on Saturday 23 November after the international break.