Rodri, Kovacic – Man City injury news and return dates before Fulham Premier League fixture
Manchester City have a couple of injury problems heading into the midweek clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Rodri remains sidelined for Manchester City(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City are aiming to make it two wins on the bounce when they travel to Fulham on Tuesday night in the Premier League. The Blues rescued three points at the death on Saturday against Leeds to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table.
City were not at their best but did find themselves 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol. However, the visitors’ change of shape caused havoc for the Blues and after Matheus Nunes gifted Leeds a way back into the game, Gvardiol’s foul in the penalty area led to Lukas Nmecha tying the game.
Not for the first time, Pep Guardiola was left thanking Foden as his strike through a crowd in stoppage time secured the win for City. Arsenal’s draw at Chelsea left City just five points behind the Gunners in the title race and the gap could be cut even further to just two points if City win at Fulham before Mikel Arteta’s side return to action on Wednesday night.
MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest City injury news ahead of the Fulham clash:
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Ankle
Guardiola has said City will be waiting until the ‘last part of the season’ before they can welcome the former Chelsea midfielder back into the fold. Discussing the injury after the victory over Bournemouth, the head coach explained: “He will be out for a while. He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We’ll wait on him for the last part of the season.”
Potential return date: February 2026
Rodri
Injury: Hamstring
Guardiola continues to wait on the services of the Ballon d’Or winner as he recovers from his hamstring injury. When asked about the Spaniard’s fitness on Monday, the boss simply replied: “Not yet [ready].”
After being asked if he would be fit for the visit of Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Guardiola added: “I don’t know.” So we will have to wait and see if the midfielder returns this week or not.
Potential return date: Real Madrid (Dec 10)
