Huge Rodri boost for Man City: Injury return update as Premier League champions nurse Ballon d’Or winner through recovery from knee ligament damage

Rodri was initially ruled out for the rest of the season by Manchester City after suffering knee ligament damage against Arsenal, with that problem forcing him to undergo surgery. Pep Guardiola's side have struggled without their talismanic Spaniard - winning just seven of 17 games in his absence.

Manchester City are all but out of the Premier League title race as they have gathered just four points from the 18 available since the start of November. The Cityzens currently sit fifth in the league, nine points off leaders Liverpool. Additionally, Guardiola's side's Champions League hopes are dangling by a thread as they sit 22nd with eight points after six clashes.

In better news for Manchester City, The Sun has revealed that Rodri has already started running as he follows his recovery programme after surgery. The report has suggested that the Spaniard could potentially return to action before the end of the Premier League season as he has "impressed medics with his range of motion" after just two months of rehab.

The original plan for Rodri had been for Manchester City to prepare for the Spaniard's return before the Club World Cup in the United States in June 2025, however, he could now be available for the end of the Cityzens' regular season campaign. However, it remains to be seen if a return to action for a man named the best player on the planet comes too late to resurrect City's season.