Kovacic and Rodri, still recovering, will not participate in the match against Newcastle.

2025-11-22 01:41

Manchester City, nicknamed "The Blue Moon," will travel to St. James' Park to face Newcastle United, nicknamed "The Magpies," in the next round of Premier League matches. City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that Rodri and Kovacic are still recovering and will not participate in the game.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri, 30, missed subsequent matches in October due to a hamstring injury, while another midfielder, Kovacic, will be sidelined for some time due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference, "Everyone except Kovacic and Rodri is available. Rodri's recovery is progressing well, and it has been almost three weeks since his last injury recurrence. He knows he needs time to fully recover mentally and physically, and to maintain consistency from now until the end of the season."

Furthermore, thanks to goals from Haaland, Nico González, and Doku, Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-0 in the last round of the Premier League. Currently, Manchester City sits in second place in the standings with 22 points, four points behind leaders Arsenal.

As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe's team is in 14th place with 12 points, having won 2 and lost 3 in their last 5 rounds.

It's worth mentioning that the 25-year-old Haaland previously helped the Norwegian national team qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Speaking of Haaland, Guardiola said, "Haaland has been incredible this season, constantly breaking his personal records in the Premier League and for the Norwegian national team."

“I’m happy for his performance for the national team. This World Cup qualifier has been incredible; he scored a lot of goals. As a world-class player, he deserves to be on the World Cup stage, and I’m really happy for him.”

Guardiola continued, "For me, I like this break. I love my job, but it's good to have some time to catch my breath. It would be nice if it were longer, but we will adapt to the World Cup and the winter schedule, and whatever they decide, we will follow it."