Pep Guardiola sweating on fitness of Manchester City star after major Club World Cup Final injury scare

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is sweating on the fitness of midfielder Rodri, after the Spaniard was forced off against Fluminense.

The 27-year-old, who is integral to Manchester City’s midfield, was forced off during the second-half of the FIFA Club World Cup Final with a suspected knee injury, after a foul challenge by Alexsander.

The premature withdrawal of Rodri may take significant shine off the Blues’ success, with the Spain international replaced due to a potentially concerning knee injury, as Manchester City became World Champions with a 4-0 win over Fluminense in Jeddah.

Two goals from Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden ensured Manchester City’s maiden Club World Cup victory, as the Sky Blues won their fifth trophy of the calendar year.

Alvarez opened the scoring with an improvised finish less than one minute into the match, before Foden doubled the Blues’ lead as his deflected effort looped into the far corner.

The pair were on the scoresheet again in the second-half, with Foden sliding in a third goal prior to a thumping strike from Alvarez – with the Argentine having now scored in six different competitions for Manchester City.

Rodri was replaced in the 74th minute after receiving treatment for a second time within a matter of minutes, with replays showing a nasty buckle of the midfielder’s knee and ankle, following a reckless tackle.

The Spaniard was pictured at full-time collecting the player of the tournament award, but with City facing upcoming matches against Everton and Sheffield United before the end of the year, a potential injury could hugely impact the club’s title hopes.

The midfielder has already missed four matches due to suspension this season, with Manchester City failing to win any of those games in the 27-year-olds absence.

Guardiola’s side are five points behind league leaders Arsenal and currently fourth in the table, as the Blues bid to win the Premier League title for a record-breaking fourth successive season.

Manchester City are already without trio Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku due to injury, with the three player’s unable to feature in the Club World Cup campaign.

The newly-crowned World Champions will be back in action on Wednesday 27th December, travelling to Goodison Park to face a rejuvenated Everton on Merseyside.