Man City confirms Rodri knee ligament injury as Guardiola provides crucial update on his condition

After City's triumphant victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, Guardiola addressed the media to discuss the Spaniard's performance and offered insight on when fans can expect his potential return to the field.

"Still we don't have the definitive (diagnosis) but he will be out for a long time - a while," said the City boss. "But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected. 

"We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. 

"We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly." 

City were beaten in four out of the five games Rodri missed last season, while he has lost just once in 50 appearances in all competitions.

His injury came after he spoke about the busy schedule top players are having to face, talks of player protests have started and now with Rodri out they could begin sooner than expected.