Rodri doubtful for Manchester City’s FA Cup third round tie amid family bereavement

Manchester City could be without defensive midfield mainstay Rodri this weekend, with the Spaniard currently in Madrid following the passing of his grandmother.

The 27-year-old has been an integral part of Manchester City’s success so far this season, and since first joining the club from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, largely dominating the sole defensive midfield role.

His impact on the way Pep Guardiola’s side operate across all competitions was further emphasised this season, when a suspension via a red card against Nottingham Forest saw City lose all three games against Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Now, Manchester City could face a further contest without their stay defensive midfielder, with Pep Guardiola revealing this week that the Spain international star is currently coming to terms with the sad passing of his grandmother.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Pep Guardiola explained to the media, “Rodri, unfortunately, his grandmother passed away yesterday (Thursday). So he’s in Madrid, today and tomorrow he will not be here.”

He continued, “Family issues are the most important thing. Hopefully he comes back for the game, but if he needs to stay (in Madrid), family is the most important thing.”

With Kalvin Phillips currently battling illness, and having missed the club’s last five to six training sessions at the City Football Academy, there is a selection dilemma for Pep Guardiola to contend with ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup clash.

Huddersfield Town of the Championship are the visitor’s on Sunday afternoon, as the Terriers hope to be a problem for Manchester City to solve in their pursuit of a second successive FA Cup success after last season’s prize.

City defeated Manchester United in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium in their penultimate game of the season, with Ilkay Gundogan the star of the show following his opening strike after just 12 seconds.