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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Rodri reveals injury latest as Man City midfielder withdraws from Spain squad

Rodri has pulled out of the Spain squad due to injury - (AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has allayed fears over a serious injury.

Rodri, who missed Man City’s 5-1 win over Burnley before returning to the starting XI against Monaco in midweek, had to be replaced after just 22 minutes against Brentford on Sunday.

It has since been confirmed the Spaniard will not join up with the national team for their World Cup qualification double-header against Georgia and Bulgaria.

A statement from the Spanish federation reads: "Rodrigo Hernandez has been withdrawn from the Spain squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia in Elche and Bulgaria in Valladolid due to injury.

"The decision follows medical reports provided by his club to the RFEF medical staff, after he was substituted during Sunday's match between Brentford and Manchester City."

On a positive note for City, Rodri said he asked to be substituted against Brentford after feeling his hamstring and plans to use the international break to rest and recover, thus ensuring he is available for selection against Everton in Man City’s first fixture back.

Speaking to reporters after the 1-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium, Rodri said: “I'm good. I felt a little bit in the hamstring but it seems like it's not that much. The important thing was the victory.

"I stretched the leg a little bit, a bit like in the Euros final. I stretched a little bit but it's part of the process.

"I don't feel that I feel tired muscle wise, I feel fresh but the most important thing is it's not that big.

Hopeful: Rodri (Getty Images)

"It's part of the process. The good thing about this is you get out, you don't let the muscle stretch now.

“The good thing is the break so it will be even better in this sense to recover these days and hopefully I can be in the next game."

Man City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken in recent weeks how Rodri’s fitness was being managed, and he is still not ready to start multiple games in a row, and emphasised that point once again.

“Everyone was wondering why I substituted Rodri against Monaco, and today everyone understood why,” Guardiola told reporters.

“I don’t know how long he will be out; we are waiting for the tests.”

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