Pep Guardiola says he likely will not risk playing Rodri in Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
The Spaniard has suffered various injury setbacks since returning from the ACL injury last season.
And Guardiola says he wants to wait until the midfielder feels completely fit again.
“We will see tomorrow but I think we will not take a risk,” Guardiola said.
“It’s international break afterwards and we can wait for the moment he feels strong, feels fit and can sustain the actions in the game which are so demanding, so he can sustain it properly, to make that step.
“Still we are in November. The best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him.
“Still we are playing without a Ballon d’Or winner, a massively important player for us and we are desperate to have him back.
“But Nico (Gonzalez) right now is becoming a really good and important player.”
