Injured Rodri to miss FA Cup semi-final with Southampton

Rodri will not play in Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday.

The Spanish midfielder missed City’s victory at Burnley on Wednesday after being forced off late in the previous game against Arsenal with a groin problem.

With City chasing the Premier League title, manager Pep Guardiola is unwilling to take a chance on the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner at Wembley.

The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks to have beset the 29-year-old since he suffered a serious knee injury early last season and the focus is on proving his fitness for the trip to Everton on May 4.

Guardiola said: “We don’t want to take a risk. I don’t know yet (for Everton) – hopefully, but we don’t want to take a risk because we could lose him for the next five games.”

Back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Burnley have taken City to the top of the table, but not without a cost.

Guardiola said: “The game against Arsenal was so demanding emotionally, then another three days later, and people were so tired.

“It’s easier for the fact we have a lot (available). Except for Ruben, Rodri and Josko the rest are fit.

City are appearing in the last four of the FA Cup for a record-extending eighth straight year and have the chance to reach the final for the fourth year in succession.

They will be strong favourites against Championship side Southampton but Guardiola is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “To be able to knock out Fulham and Arsenal speaks for itself. They have good rhythm.

“We just focus on the game tomorrow, what we have to do with the selection, for the spirit and how we recover the players from these two demanding games. A semi-final is tough.”