Manchester City receive major Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov fitness update ahead of Everton clash

Both Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov remain in doubt ahead of Manchester City’s return to action on Saturday afternoon, it has been reported.

The Premier League giants are set to resume their domestic campaign against David Moyes’ Everton this weekend following the conclusion of the October international break, however Pep Guardiola’s preparations have already been somewhat disrupted.

Rodri’s absence would represent a crucial blow to Guardiola’s plans, particularly with the Spaniard having been integral to Manchester City’s stability in midfield over recent seasons. His influence in defensive midfield has been pivotal, and Guardiola has often noted his importance in controlling matches.

As for Abdukodir Khusanov, the Uzbek defender has been working his way towards full fitness since sustaining an issue that has limited his involvement this season. The young defender, who joined City earlier in the year, has impressed staff with his adaptation and maturity, but remains short of match sharpness ahead of the coming weekend.

As per MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Rodri remained absent from Manchester City’s group training session that returned to City Football Academy work on Thursday afternoon following the international break.

The Spaniard is currently in the process of recovering from a hamstring problem that forced him off the field in the first-half of Manchester City’s eventual 0-1 defeat to Brentford in the final game before the international break.

Additionally, Abdukodir Khusanov was not involved in the session as the Uzbekistan international continues his own work towards a return to training ground fitness levels, as per Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom.

The development will come as a concern for Guardiola, who has already had to navigate periods without Rodri in the past – often with noticeable dips in form or rhythm across the side.

During the Spaniard’s previous long-term knee injury of last season, City struggled to replicate his positional awareness and ball progression, with alternatives such as Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, and later Nico Gonzalez offering mixed results in the holding role.

In Khusanov’s case, City’s depth has allowed the 20-year-old time to recover properly without being rushed back. The club view the Uzbek prospect as a long-term project, and should he return to full training soon, the expectation is that he could seriously challenge to hold down the right-back spot on a permanent basis, alongside spells in the centre of defence.

Looking ahead, Manchester City medical staff will continue to monitor both players closely over the coming 48 hours, while Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon could provide greater clarity on their availability, with potential updates on whether either player can make a late return to training and put themselves in contention for the clash.

The absence of both players would likely see tactical adjustments from Pep Guardiola, with Nico Gonzalez potentially stepping into holding midfield, while Matheus Nunes or Rico Lewis would likely start at right-back in the absence of Abdukodir Khusanov.