Man City: Pep Guardiola confirms 'worst news' for Rodri as ACL injury timeline revealed

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will miss the rest of the season, after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury.

Manchester City announced this week that the midfielder had suffered ligament damage to his right knee against Arsenal.

It was suspected that he would not return before the end of the campaign, and that has now been made official.

"He had surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus, we think,” Guardiola said at a pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s trip to face Newcastle.

“Next season he will be with us. This season is over. Unfortunately we got the worst news but that is what happened, we will be there to support him and move forward step by step."

Rodri’s absence will be a huge blow to City in their bid for a five consecutive Premier League title, with the midfielder losing just one match for club or country in the past 18 months.

Mateo Kovacic is likely to play a more prominent role in the side, with Ilkay Gundogan and Rico Lewis among the other options to play in that deeper midfield role.

Guardiola admitted no one player in his squad will be able to fill the gap left by Rodri, but he is confident solutions will be found.

“What he [Rodri] gives us we don't have a similar player, but the other players all together can replace what Rodri has given us since he arrived,” the City boss said.

“We have to do it as a team and find a way to play during a lot of months without an important player.”