Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Rodri provides encouraging injury update on Man City teammate John Stones after Brighton substitution

Rodri does not believe John Stones' precautionary substitution at Brighton will give Manchester City another injury concern, despite the champions' mounting list of absentees.

City travelled to Brighton without Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manu Akanji and Jack Grealish as they were not fully fit after the Premier League title was confirmed last weekend, before Phil Foden was substituted after a knock early in the second half. Defender Stones followed soon after appearing to pick up a knock of his own, and Pep Guardiola confirmed both had injury concerns.

On Foden, Guardiola said: "The doctor told me it was dangerous and we didn't take a risk. Phil was exceptional in the first half before that. John felt tight, he didn’t have anything, we didn’t want to take a risk, so hopefully he can recover as soon as possible."

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola gives Man City injury updates on John Stones and Phil Foden

With Stones as the only fully fit defender to pick at Brighton, Rodri partnered him in central defence, and the midfielder offered an update of his own when asked about Stones' injury.

“No he’s fine," Rodri said. “He went down to make the substitution, but I asked him and he was pretty good."

Regarding his positional switch, Rodri said: "I think it was a good game, to come here, to raise again our level after the celebration. I'm happy with the performance.

"They [Brighton] do many things we do. Sometimes it is difficult because they go one against one and they push you to play long balls. Sometimes it is more of a direct game.

"It was very tough of course [playing at centre-back]. They play with false nines and they move a lot. John and myself were very good today with the ball and without the ball."

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.