Rodri admits Man City star is playing with injury problems after 'risky' Real Madrid role

John Stones showed courage to play through 'problems' at the end of Manchester City's quarter-final with Real Madrid to help the team.

In a season of injury setbacks, Stones picked up an issue in England's friendly with Belgium in March - much to the annoyance of manager Pep Guardiola. He returned to the City team against Crystal Palace at the weekend and started at the Bernabeu for the blockbuster quarter-final.

Stones was alongside Ruben Dias in defence but also stepped up into midfield as part of the hybrid role that he made his own last season. The former Barnsley youngster enjoyed more success with it in the second half, and was on the edge of the Real box to knock the ball across to Phil Foden for the fourth goal of the evening to level things at 2-2 in a game that would finish 3-3.

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City were missing Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake through injury and the team suffered a further setback when Kevin De Bruyne started vomiting as they reached the dressing room. Mateo Kovacic was a late replacement to the XI.

However, it was a battling performance from the Blues to earn a draw. Rodri - who admitted after the game he needs a rest - told of how as well as his contributions to the team, Stones had shown the resolve to play on that will be needed to see them through.

"It’s risky, it’s brave but it’s the way we play," said Rodri. "As a centre-back he was brilliant.

"He was tight and he had some problems at the end but he showed his courage until the end because he knew that the team needed him. He didn’t say ‘I need to go’, he stayed until the end – this is the kind of thing we’re