Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has received a timely double fitness boost ahead of the Premier League champions' return to domestic duty.
The Citizens have started the 2024-25 campaign as they mean to go on with nine points from their opening three top-flight matches, seeing off West Ham United, Ipswich Town and Chelsea so far.
City's perfect record is only matched by Liverpool, whose goal difference record of +7 they also share, but the Citizens' superior goals scored tally means that they lead the way at the top of the rankings.
Guardiola's side still have their 100% record intact despite the absence of midfield metronome Rodri, who has not played any minutes for his club since his injury in the Euro 2024 final.
The midfielder was back on the bench for the 3-1 win over West Ham two weekends ago, but he did not make it onto the field, although he was still selected in Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad for September's matches.
© Imago
Rodri, Savinho on course to be fit for Brentford clash
After failing to make the matchday selection for La Roja's opening Nations League draw with Serbia on September 5, Rodri finally made his first appearance of 2024-25 in Sunday's 4-1 win over Switzerland.
The 28-year-old wore the captain's armband and completed 59 minutes in the middle of the park before being taken off for Martin Zubimendi, but that appeared to be a tactical change from De la Fuente.
As a result, Rodri appears to be on course to make his first Premier League appearance of the season in Saturday's meeting with Brentford, where Savinho also looks set to make a swift return.
The Brazilian attacker was unexpectedly absent from the squad to face West Ham last time out, with Guardiola revealing that he was dealing with some pain in his knee.
However, Guardiola expressed optimism that Savinho would be fully operational once the international break was over, and the 20-year-old has suggested that he will be fine for the weekend, posting a gym picture on Instagram.
Work 💪 pic.twitter.com/VJqhbQ6B8V
— Sàvinho (@saviomoreiras) September 8, 2024
The 20-year-old started both of City's opening games of the Premier League season, completing 45 minutes against Chelsea before providing two assists in the 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town.
Will Phil Foden be fit for Man City's next game?
Should Savinho and Rodri both be available for the visit of the Bees, Guardiola would only have two concerns for Saturday's game in the shape of attacking duo Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb.
Bobb is facing months on the sidelines with his broken leg, while Foden was forced to withdraw from the England squad due to a stomach illness, which he is on a course of antibiotics for.
According to the Manchester Evening News, City staff are keeping their fingers crossed that Foden will be fine for the weekend as the Premier League champions gear up for a taxing eight days.
After welcoming Brentford on Saturday, City open their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan on September 18, four days before hosting Arsenal in a Premier League blockbuster.
Ben Knapton
