RODRI has his sights on a stunning Premier League comeback — THIS season.
The midfielder, 28, was initially ruled out for the entire campaign after rupturing the ACL in his right knee against Arsenal in September.
But the Ballon d’Or winner is already a couple of months ahead of schedule in his rehab following surgery on the damage.
Spaniard Rodri has been on the running machine and impressed medics with his range of motion.
He had already targeted a return at the new Club World Cup in June and July — but there are now suggestions he could be back in action before the end of the Prem campaign.
City’s form has nose-dived without their central midfield rock and they have won just one of their last ten games.
Boss Pep Guardiola could turn to Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich as cover next month.
The right-back, 29, who also operates in midfield, would cost £10million and Pep knows Kimmich having brought him to the Allianz Arena in 2015.
Rodri insisted his time on the pitch this season might not be over when he scooped the Ballon d’Or trophy.
Guardiola insisted we wouldn’t see the anchor man until the 2024-2025 season.
But Rodri is aiming for Fifa’s Club World Cup, which takes place in the US in June and July.
City’s talisman said: “The seasons are getting longer and this one has the Club World Cup.
“It is good to have a challenge and I have it in my head to return this season — we’ll see when.”
Meanwhile, City hope to persuade Rodri to extend his Etihad deal, which runs until 2027.
PEP GUARDIOLA admitted he is having sleepless nights as he endures his worst-ever spell as a manager.
Here are the three-time defending Premier League champions’ nightmare last 10 games…
Oct 30: Tottenham 2 Man City 1 – DEFEAT
Nov 2: Bournemouth 2 Man City 1 – DEFEAT
Nov 5: Sporting Lisbon 4 Man City 1 – DEFEAT
Nov 9: Brighton 2 Man City 1 – DEFEAT
Nov 23 – Man City 0 Tottenham 4 – DEFEAT
Nov 26: Man City 3 Feyenoord 3 – DRAW
Dec 1: Liverpool 2 Man City 0 – DEFEAT
Dec 4: Man City 3 Nottingham Forest – WIN
Dec 7: Crystal Palace 2 Man City 2 – DRAW
Dec 11: Juventus 2 Man City 0 – DEFEAT
TOTAL – WINS 1, DRAWS 2, DEFEATS 7
He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has not ruled out a return to his homeland.
Rodri added: “Renewal with City is not my priority right now.
“I want to recover and we’ll see.
“I have a contract and I’m very, very happy.
“But I see the Spanish league and I’m not closing doors.”
