Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered the latest update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium.
The Citizens have put together a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W5 D2), winning each of their last three Premier League games including Tuesday's important 2-1 home victory over top-five rivals Aston Villa.
Stefan Ortega has started between the sticks in City's last two matches in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who aggravated a groin issue in the 5-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.
Ortega remains in contention to start again this weekend as Guardiola is unsure whether Ederson will make a full recovery in time to face Forest.
Discussing Ederson's availability at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "We'll see. Eddie is coming back training a little bit, but I don't know if he'll be ready for this game, hopefully the next one."
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Guardiola provides positive Haaland injury update
Guardiola has also provided an update on top scorer Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury in Man City's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 30.
While Guardiola has insisted that a return date has not been set in stone just yet for Haaland, who will miss Sunday's semi-final, the Catalan coach has stated that his No.9 is improving day by day.
"He feels better. I said before I don't know when (he will return)," Guardiola told reporters. "It's not a comfortable injury. You have some twist in your ankle and then taping.
"It's not comfortable. He's not a small guy but he's getting better step by step. Still, he doesn't train with the team but we will see in the next days how he evolves."
Should Man City beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday and progress to a third successive FA Cup final, there have been some suggestions that Ballon d'Or winner Rodri could recover in time to potentially feature in some capacity.
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Could Rodri make long-awaited return for possible FA Cup final?
Rodri has not played a single game of football since rupturing his anterior crucial ligament back in September and has since been gradually building up his fitness in individual training which he resumed at the end of February.
"Every training session he does with us, he does well," Guardiola said when asked about the possibility of the Spaniard featuring before the season ends. "But I don't know (if he could be fit to play in the FA Cup final).
"Rodri wants [to play] but the doctor will have to say 'Pep you have green light to give him minutes.' I want to rely on the doctors in that case."
Meanwhile, there was no mention of Oscar Bobb at Guardiola's press conference despite claims that the attacker has suffered another injury setback after sustaining a minor hamstring issue prior to City's win over Everton last weekend.
Bobb, who has been left out of the matchday squad for City's last two matches, is expected to join Rodri, Haaland, Nathan Ake (foot) and John Stones (thigh) in the treatment room.
Oliver Thomas
