Rodri, Kovacic - Man City injury news and return dates before Leeds Premier League fixture

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Manchester City face Leeds today looking to bounce back from two defeats in a row in all competitions.

Manchester City must arrest their mini slump at home to Leeds in the Premier League today. City had the chance to temporarily cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to just one point last weekend but they faltered away at Newcastle and the defeat meant they slipped to third in the table - seven points behind the Gunners after Mikel Arteta's men swept aside Tottenham.

A shock Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek - where Pep Guardiola made no fewer than 10 changes to his starting XI - made it back-to-back defeats and ensured the game against Leeds has already been classed as a must-win fixture.

Wholesale changes will again be made to Guardiola's starting XI for the game at the Etihad, and here's a look at the players City will be without:

Rodri

Injury: Hamstring

Rodri's brief return to action against Bournemouth earlier this month has been followed by more time spent on the sidelines. The Spaniard is struggling to get back to full fitness and with each week that passes the concerns over him grow.

Guardiola was asked for an update on Rodri at his pre-match press conference and he confirmed he would play no part in the clash with Leeds. When asked how long it would be before we can expect to see Rodri back in action, he replied: "Not far."

Missing this weekend's game means it is unlikely he will be back for the trip to Fulham just three days later. The home game against Sunderland next weekend looks a more realistic return date.

Potential return date: Sunderland (Dec 6).

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Ankle

Guardiola confirmed at the start of November that City will wait on Mateo Kovacic "for the last part of the season".

Kovacic is yet to start a game for the Blues this season with his only minutes for City coming off the bench against Everton and Villarreal. Speaking after the Premier League win over Bournemouth earlier this month, Guardiola said: "He will be out for a while. He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season."

Potential return date: February 2026.