Guardiola admits Man City made a major mistake with Rodri's recovery

Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City rushed Rodri back into action too soon but believes their metronome is nearing top form.

The Spain international pushed himself to return from last season’s ACL injury within eight months and suffered further problems as a result.

Daily Mail Sport has previously reported that sources felt the extent of Rodri’s participation at last summer’s Club World Cup was too much given the state of some surfaces in America.

And Guardiola confirmed that the 29-year-old and City have learned lessons from it after he continued to pick up subsequent muscle injuries that have heavily impacted this term.

Rodri missed almost the entirety of October before featuring for just one minute in November and then was not seen again until the New Year.

‘We came back too early,’ Guardiola said. ‘Our desire to get him back, him especially… we came back too early and that’s why it was longer (out). It’s a good lesson.

‘It’s 18 months (since the original injury) now but he came back earlier, in the World Cup, and the other games.

‘He’s getting better by far. The step back (to his best), we wanted this earlier and he needed a little more time. He’s still not at his best but every time, his mood and his training, for example, and he’s playing many, many things. He’s a special player.’

Rodri is available for Saturday’s game against Newcastle United as City await the outcome of an FA charge for misconduct.

The central midfielder has 18 months left on his contract and Guardiola urged him to sign an extension.

‘I would love it desperately,’ Guardiola added. ‘Rodri is Rodri.

'A player like he is, he’s wiser, understands the game more. And there are players, it feels like when they are on the pitch, his teammates feel better.

‘And that is experience, timing. There are players that are defined on the bigger stages.’