Pep Guardiola breaks silence on claims Rodri could miss rest of season after knee injury vs Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed reports that Rodri could miss the rest of the season following the knee injury he suffered against Arsenal.

The Spanish midfielder limped off in the early stages of the first half after a collision with Thomas Partey.

There were immediate concerns over the extent of the damage, particularly given the innocuous way that he collided with the Arsenal midfielder before going down in significant pain.

Spanish outlet Marca claimed on Monday that Rodri had travelled to Madrid for tests, with initial tests indicating that he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Such an injury would see him miss the rest of the season.

And Guardiola has now addressed those reports.

Speaking to Sky Sports before City's Carabao Cup clash against Watford, he explained: "We are still waiting for the decision of the doctors, exactly what he has.

"When we know it, the club or myself, the spokesman of the club, will announce it.

"He will be out for a little while."

In Rodri's absence, Matheus Nunes is lining up as the deeper midfielder against Watford - although it is unlikely that the Spaniard would have taken part in the fixture regardless of injury.

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Moving forward, City may choose to stick with Mateo Kovacic in Rodri's role, having assumed the position off the bench against Arsenal.

Other options for the position include Ilkay Gundogan and defender John Stones, who has moved into defensive midfield in the past under Guardiola.

And Rico Lewis has also fulfilled that role on several occasions, although appears to have usurped captain Kyle Walker - who starts against Watford - as the side's first choice right-back.

Lewis is at left-back on Tuesday evening, while Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are also starting in what is a strong Carabao Cup selection from Guardiola.

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