Manchester City midfielder Rodri has lifted the lid on his recovery from an ACL injury as he targets a return to action before the end of the campaign.
It has now been almost five months since the Ballon d'Or winner sustained his devastating issue in September's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, and his absence has coincided with the Citizens' unforeseen Premier League capitulation.
Sitting fifth in the top-flight table and 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool - who still have a game in hand - it would take nothing short of a minor miracle for the reigning champions to pull off an unprecedented Premier League five-peat.
However, Pep Guardiola's men are still kicking in the FA Cup and Champions League, edging out Leyton Orient 2-1 in the fourth round of the former competition and preparing to meet Real Madrid in the first leg of their European playoff tie.
Rodri has been included in Man City's squad for the UCL knockout stages, suggesting that he could be back in the fold before the campaign is over in what would be a monumental boost to the Citizens' chances of ending a torrid season with some silverware.
Rodri: 'Injuries are part of life, I'm very positive'
© Imago
The Spain international recently flew out to the USA to watch the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in the Super Bowl, and he opened up on his rehabilitation to Sky Sports while in New Orleans.
"Well, I always say, it's part of life, injuries. As athletes we're used to these types of things but I'm a very positive guy in the sense that I take it for what it is," Rodri said.
"I always thank God for everything and in this type of moment try to be positive and maybe do all the stuff you not used to doing like coming here [to the Super Bowl], spend more time with your family and try to improve other parts of your body to come back stronger."
Rodri also confirmed on social media that he would undergo a training session after touching down in the United States, while Man City also posted a reel of the midfielder being put through his paces by a strength and conditioning coach.
"I'm happy to be here for the Superbowl weekend but the most important thing is to recover myself so first of all I have a training session today to massage, recover after a long trip," Rodri added.
How are the rest of Man City's injury victims?
City's ageing midfield and lack of cover for the Ballon d'Or winner has been well and truly exposed during Rodri's absence, and the Premier League champions sought to rectify such shortages in January with the signing of Nico Gonzalez from Porto.
However, Rodri's compatriot endured a debut-day disaster at Leyton Orient, as he was barged off the ball by Sonny Perkins before the League One side's freak opening goal, and referee Darren Bond did not deem the challenge to be a foul.
Gonzalez then had to be withdrawn shortly afterwards, although Guardiola could not say how severe the Spaniard's issue was, and his availability for the visit of Real Madrid remains up in the air.
Jeremy Doku and Nathan Ake were both pictured in training on Sunday, though - the latter on the pitch with his teammates - and City are also working to recover first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for the first leg.
In addition, Rodri's fellow long-term absentee Oscar Bobb is on the cusp of making his long-awaited return from a leg fracture, and he is yet to be ruled out of the visit of Real Madrid.
Ben Knapton
