The Japan Times - Guardiola glad of Rodri return but uncertain if he'll play in FA Cup final

Rodri was expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.

The 28-year-old Ballon d'or winner's absence has been a key factor in a City slump that ended their unprecedented run of four successive English top-flight titles, with Liverpool already crowned champions for the 2024/25 Premier League season.

City, however, have recovered to fourth in the table and are on course to qualify for the Champions League with a top-five finish.

Guardiola's men will also play Crystal Palace in their third straight FA Cup final at Wembley on May 17 after defeating fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest 2-0 in last weekend's semi-finals.

"We are really pleased that Rodri is back in the training sessions," Guardiola told reporters on Thursday during a pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's league game at home to Wolves.

"The moment the physio and doctor says, 'Rodri can start to play minutes', and after that he will start to play minutes. But the doctors have to tell me."

The Spaniard added: "It was a difficult injury, seven to 11 months the doctors.

"He feels really good every day making sessions and sessions, but we have to avoid making a step backwards or getting injured again. That's why you have to be careful.

"The important (thing) is one training session, another one, and every time he feels better and better. And when the doctor says 'Rodri is stable and he can start to play', after that he is going to come back."

Guardiola, pressed on whether Rodri would play any part in the FA Cup final against south London side Palace, insisted: "I am not a doctor."

Following the semi-final win over Forest, it was suggested to Guardiola that a combination of FA Cup glory and Champions League qualification would constitute a "successful" campaign.

But he replied: "No, and I have said that many times.

"This season has not been good. We are a thousand million points behind Liverpool, so come on, this season has not been good."

City are 21 points behind Liverpool in the league and one point clear of Chelsea and Forest, who also have a game in hand, in the race for the top five places.

"Being in another final speaks so highly about the volume of generation of players and this club. And we are very pleased we are in the final," added Guardiola, who has won the FA Cup twice in his City reign, following the last-four win over Forest.

"But the season is defined by the Premier League and being consistent and this season that couldn't happen."

S.Suzuki--JT