Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Brentford at Etihad Stadium (17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Guardiola provided a fitness update on Rodri after the midfielder missed the 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday: “Still he doesn’t feel completely comfortable and when he will be ready and fit and comes back – and we’ll see this afternoon. Hopefully for tomorrow he will come back.”
On how he has coped without the Spaniard: “We have survived without him for many, many months. He still doesn’t feel completely comfortable. He will be ready and fit and come back we will see this afternoon or tomorrow.”
On whether City missed him against the Toffees, Guardiola said: “It doesn’t depend on him. We gave the goals away but not because Rodri was not there.”
Josko Gvardiol has returned to training, having not featured since January: “He’s good, he’s training. It has been many months. Last season he was the important player for us, played all the games, at the end his body said ‘enough is enough’. Happy he’s back – hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season.”
He added he has “no info” on Gvardiol’s contract negotiations after reports the defender is close to signing a new deal: “I would love Josko to stay here. It’s not easy to find a player like him.”
On Phil Foden‘s new contract: “I asked my sporting directors and they are close to an agreement. Hopefully it’s going to happen but still it’s not already done.”
On Jeremy Doku‘s fine recent form: “I’m so glad. I’m so glad they’re making the step and feel that the winger had to score and make an impact not just an extra one against one. The goals, the assists, also contributing defensively – Jeremy has been amazing this season. Amazing.”
Guardiola was asked how Marc Guehi has responded after his mistake led to a goal for Everton on Monday: “He made a top game. He knows he made a mistake, but it’s part of the game. Apart from that, he made a top game.”
On how Keith Andrews has done replacing Thomas Frank as Brentford manager: “So good. Not easy to replace Thomas so an incredible season. Clear what they do and difficult to challenge them. But yeah, same time, three games left and Etihad and go for it.”
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[BBC]
