Rodri has raised expectations for his injury return as he aims to be back on the pitch for Manchester City before the end of the season.

The Ballon d’Or winner suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during City’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal, leading manager Pep Guardiola to state he would not play again this season.

City are undefeated with Rodri in the Premier League since the start of last season, but have only won half of the 14 matches he has not featured in during the same period, losing six (W7 D1).

The Spanish midfielder is understandably keen to get back quickly but still faces a substantial period of recovery before then.

"My target is to come back this season," Rodri told The Rest is Football podcast.

"I think in terms of my mentality, it’s going to be positive for me to not give up the season and throw it.

"I don’t know when ... my target is six, seven months, but the physios, they will dictate."

Alongside a run of six games without a win in all competitions, City have conceded two or more goals in six successive matches for the first time since May 1963 – during a season in which they were relegated from the top flight.

The reigning champions will look to dent an eight-point gap to league leaders Liverpool when they play them in the Premier League on Sunday.