Manchester City midfielder Rodri has insisted that he will be fit to play when the Premier League champions resume domestic duty at Everton's Goodison Park headquarters on Wednesday.
The Spain international went down in agony during Friday's Club World Cup final against Fluminense, having been caught from behind by Alexsander in what he described as one of the worst challenges he has ever been on the receiving end of.
Rodri managed to soldier on for enough time to see Phil Foden score his side's third before having to limp off the field, but he confirmed after the game that there was no lasting damage.
While Rodri has given himself the green light, there are still question marks over Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Erling Haaland (foot) and Jeremy Doku (muscle), all of whom did not feature during City's successful Club World Cup campaign.
De Bruyne had returned to training from his long-term problem in Saudi Arabia, but having not taken part in the semi-final beating of Urawa Red Diamonds, he was not allowed to play against Fluminense in the final due to administrative reasons.
Doku and Haaland were in the same boat, but the latter may now have a chance of coming back in to spearhead the Citizens attack, thereby forcing Julian Alvarez back into a deeper offensive role.
Jack Grealish may be the one sacrificed for Haaland, as Foden and Bernardo Silva have likely done enough to hold their places out wide, and Guardiola is spoiled for choice when it comes to potential midfield partners for Rodri.
Rico Lewis was given the nod for the Club World Cup final, while Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are also desperate for look-ins, but Manuel Akanji seemingly has a strong chance of linking arms with Rodri given that John Stones ought to partner Ruben Dias against his old club.
Kyle Walker and Ederson remain stalwarts in the rearguard too, but one alteration from the Club World Cup final could see Josko Gvardiol return to a left-back role over Nathan Ake.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Akanji, Rodri; Silva, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
Ben Knapton
