Rodri injury: Ballon d'Or winner wants to return to Manchester City squad before the end of the season

The Spanish midfielder, who won the Euros earlier this year, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Man City’s third match of the season, a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. In the aftermath, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri would be out for the rest of the season.

Following his absence, Manchester City have not won in their last six games, throwing away a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League earlier this week. Guardiola was seen with scratches on his head after the game, which he later confirmed came from his own fingernails.

Watching his teammates struggle from the sidelines - while Man City scramble to find a suitable replacement - an understandably frustrated Rodri, 28, is hoping to return to the starting XI sooner rather than later.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “My target is to come back this season. I don't give up on this season, [but] I don't want to make any mistakes. My target is six or seven months.

“I am doing much better than I thought. I am enjoying the rest, if it possible to say it that way. My feeling was, not like a crack, the knee was stable. I was confident it wasn't too bad. But I have a positive mentality now and that's it.

“The first month and a half was bad in terms of pain, I couldn't walk, but now it is easier.”

The Premier League season ends on May 25, just over a week after the FA Cup final. Should Rodri miss the season entirely, there is a strong possibility he returns to the Man City side in time for the revamped Club World Cup, which will run from June 15 to July 13.