City's Rodri out of Everton clash, Grealish ineligible to face parent club

MANCHESTER, England :Manchester City will be without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri when they host Everton in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed in a blow to the team's efforts to maintain momentum in the title race.

The midfielder, who missed most of last season recovering from a major knee injury, limped off in the first half of City's 1-0 win over Brentford on October 5, and then withdrew from the Spain squad ahead of the international break.

"No news. He (Rodri) is not ready for tomorrow," Guardiola told reporters on Friday. "I don't know when he will be back."

City are fifth, three points off leaders Arsenal through seven games, with Everton a further two points back in eighth.

Guardiola did have some good news with the return of full back Rayan Ait-Nouri and forward Omar Marmoush to full training. Neither has featured since the end of August due to injuries.

"Much, much better, they are close to come back," he said.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic could feature for the first time since Achilles tendon surgery last season after he played for Croatia in their World Cup qualifying win over Gibraltar.

"He needs to give us quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. Step-by-step but it's important he's back," Guardiola said.

There will be no emotional return to The Etihad for winger Jack Grealish, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Guardiola heaped praise on Grealish, who has been brilliant for Everton since he left City on a loan deal, sharing the league lead in assists with Tottenham Hotspur's Mohammed Kudus.

"His impact has been massive since day one," Guardiola said of Grealish's form at Everton. "He is playing well — it's what he wanted. The position we have with him,