Man City Face Newcastle Without Rodri in Key League Match

Manchester City will travel to St. James' Park on Saturday evening without key midfielder Rodri as they aim to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal in a crucial match against Newcastle United. The game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. GMT on November 22, 2025, with City sitting second in the table, four points behind Arsenal after 11 matches.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, continues to recover from a persistent hamstring injury that followed his return from an anterior cruciate ligament tear last season. The 29-year-old Spaniard has made only eight appearances across all competitions this term, including just one minute as a substitute against Bournemouth earlier this month. His latest setback occurred before the recent international break, sidelining him for important fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri's absence during a prematch news conference on Friday, emphasizing a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.

"Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri," Guardiola said. "Rodri is making good steps. It's almost three weeks since his last setback. He knows he has to take time to recover well mentally and physically and to be...