Rodri and Jeremy Doku could be involved when Manchester City travel to Sunderland on New Year’s Day, according to manager Pep Guardiola, offering a timely boost as the champions prepare for an intense run of fixtures. Speaking on Wednesday, Guardiola confirmed that both players are close to returning after injury setbacks, though minutes will be carefully managed.
Rodri, one of City’s most influential midfielders when fit, was an unused substitute in Saturday’s Premier League win over Nottingham Forest. His cautious reintegration follows a long and difficult recovery journey. The Spanish international missed most of last season with a severe knee injury, and every attempt to return has been interrupted by further physical issues. His latest setback was a hamstring problem, which again delayed his comeback.
Despite those concerns, Guardiola sounded encouraged by Rodri’s progress. “Rodri has come back,” he said during his pre-match press conference. “Maybe he can play a few minutes. I’m looking forward to it. Doku maybe, John and Oscar no.”
Jeremy Doku has also been unavailable in recent weeks after picking up a calf injury. The winger had enjoyed a strong start to the season before being sidelined for the past four matches. His pace and direct attacking style have been missed, especially as City navigate a congested schedule with limited rotation options.
How important are Rodri and Doku to Manchester City’s January schedule?
Manchester City are entering one of the most demanding periods of their season, with 10 matches across four competitions scheduled in just 32 days. The workload includes a trip to Tottenham on February 1, alongside league fixtures against Chelsea and Brighton, both coming shortly after the Sunderland game.
Guardiola acknowledged the strain the schedule places on his squad, especially given the number of players currently unavailable. John Stones, Oscar Bobb, and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined with injuries, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“In terms of squad we are not in our best right now for this tight schedule. It’s right lately we have played with the same guys but with the schedule we have,” Guardiola explained. He also highlighted the travel demands facing the team. “We will arrive back (from Sunderland) at 2:00 am (0200 GMT) or 3:00 am and two days later we have Chelsea and then after that we have Brighton – really tough opponents. We don’t have many players to rotate.”
In this context, even limited minutes from Rodri or Doku could make a difference. Rodri’s presence brings control and balance to midfield, while Doku offers width and unpredictability in attack. Their availability, even off the bench, could help Guardiola manage workloads and maintain performance levels.
What challenge does Sunderland present at the Stadium of Light?
Sunderland have made a strong impression since returning to the Premier League and currently sit seventh in the table. Although City beat the Black Cats 3-0 at the Etihad on December 6, Guardiola expects a far tougher test away from home.
“They are so tough,” he said. “The crowd is unbelievable. They have beaten Newcastle. Arsenal and Aston Villa could not win there. They have had really good results. It will be completely different there but at the same time we are ready.”
City begin 2026 five points behind league leaders Arsenal, though they hold a game in hand. With the January transfer window open, there has been speculation about potential reinforcements, including links to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. Guardiola dismissed those discussions, keeping the focus firmly on the upcoming fixture.
“I don’t have any news about anything right now,” he said. “The winter transfer window is completely closed right now. So, Sunderland…”
As City prepare for a demanding start to the year, the possible returns of Rodri and Doku offer cautious optimism. Their fitness will be monitored closely, but their presence alone signals depth and resilience as Guardiola’s side look to stay competitive across all fronts.
By Yockshard Enyendi